Years ago I saw a 1903, new in the box, with the original sales slip dated 1923. On the sales slip was the serial number and model of the pistol and also recorded, one 50 round box of .32 cal bullets. The old box of Winchester ammo was still with the gun and all 50 rounds were still there. This would indicate that the pistol had never been fired after leaving the Colt factory. Also in the box was the factory paperwork about the Model 1903. The gun was in mint high gloss condition. Everything was there that any collector of this pistol would appreciate.
I had to be the witness to the actual the cutting up of this pistol, as the then current owner had turned it in to the police department for destruction. What a loss to the collecting community.