Colt 1903 markings

2231 Views 11 Replies 8 Participants Last post by kwill, Dec 15, 2017

bill258

Discussion Starter · Dec 13, 2017 (Edited)

Hi All - a request from England.

In 1940 when France surrendered Britain stood alone.

Winston Churchill directed that before there was an invasion, a Secret British Resistance Army be formed to be known as 'Auxiliary Units'. Small 8 man groups were set up in underground hides and trained to act as guerillas, coming out at night and delay the enemy advance in any way they could. Churchill read progress reports and on one of these scribbled "These men must have pistols" and so every man was to be issued with one. These were all obtained thanks to the USA who sent a variety of makes and models over to us before you entered the war.

I belong to CART (Coleshill Auxiliary Research Team) researching the history of Aux Units. We are being given a collection of artefacts and deactivated weapons and hope to create a museum. We are in the process of compiling an Inventory and would appreciate help in correctly describing the weapons.

The first item is a Colt 1903 SN 457402 which has engraving on the right hand side. It's a bit hard to see on the attached photo - but can anyone explain what are these? Also the small number 99 or 49 near the trigger guard.

Gun Firearm Trigger Revolver Starting pistol

To learn more about Auxiliary Units look at "www.staybehinds.com" British Resistance Archive | Churchill's Auxiliary Units | A comprehensive online resource.

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year

Bill

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Malysh

· #2 · Dec 13, 2017

Welcome to the Colt Forum.
The stamped number 99 is a Colt factory inspector's mark. As you can imagine there were more than 1 inspector at Colt's at one time.

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ei8ht

· #3 · Dec 13, 2017

Welcome to the Colt Forum Bill. Best of luck in your quest.

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73shovel

· #4 · Dec 13, 2017

........"deactivated weapons".........

What a travesty.

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Malysh

· #5 · Dec 13, 2017

73shovel said:
........"deactivated weapons".........

What a travesty.

Can we imagine how collectors like Bill258 in the UK feel?

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kwill

· #6 · Dec 13, 2017

Welcome to the forum! Can you post more pictures? What are the stamps on the barrel hood?

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ponyup

· #7 · Dec 13, 2017

I judge all the stamps on the frame and slide as being from an inspector "GTY"; likely in the British side of the import, or at least post-release from Colt's.
They appear to be the same stamps for approval, (or not) and to "marry" the frame and slide as a unit.

The "99" on the front trigger guard as pointed out by Malysh is one of the Colt's factory inspectors. In the same location of the left-side trigger guard I expect you will find a small diamond with the letters VP inside for Colt's "Verified Proof" of craftsmanship.

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bill258

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 15, 2017

Thank you Guys for the welcome and replies
I attach some better quality photos of the markings in case they help

Best wishes and seasons greetings to you all

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kwill

· #9 · Dec 15, 2017 (Edited)

That helps a lot. Those are not British marks. I'll do more research but my first impression is that those are Austrian.

To add: it is the Austrian Federal eagle followed by a Nitro proof followed by the GTY, meaning unknown. They may be the initials of an inspector. This same series of proofs or stamps is seen on M1 carbines used in Austria post WWII. I've seen LOF and NDF in addition to the GTY. If you can share the serial number of the pistol more information may be possible.

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JohnnyP

· #10 · Dec 15, 2017 (Edited)

The number on the right front of the trigger guard is the identification number of the person that assembled the pistol. If there is a letter or number above the Verified Proof on the left front of the trigger guard, it represents the Colt final inspector.

As noted above, the proof marks look Austrian.

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oberon

· #11 · Dec 15, 2017

It is unfortunate that true relics must be converted to paperweights and doorstops.......
That bein' said, if you ever make your way to this side of the planet, there are a lot of people who would be privileged to provide the opportunity to hammer away with one of those things.
Jes' sayin'.

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kwill

· #12 · Dec 15, 2017

I just realized I overlooked the SN in the first post. My apologies. I show pistols in that range to US officers, Japan, England.... Pictures of both sides of the entire pistol would be helpful.

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