[Ronbo]

I bought a Colt 1903 380 at a moving sale 23 years ago with an old holster for the shocking sum of $50. It is nickel plated and serial number is 297xx. I have misplaced the original black hard rubber grips and have a aftermarket wood set of grips on it. Are old style grips about for the 1903 model?

[This message has been edited by Ronbo (edited 09-23-2003).]

 

[LWCmdr45]

Your pistol, if in calibre .380, is actually a M1908; the M1903 is the .32 version. SN 297xx was made in 1916. Finding a replacement set of original stocks will be a challenge; you've just got to haunt Numrich/Gun Parts Corp., check the trade journals for those who deal in used stocks/grips (a laborious process as many are not on-line) and check your local gun shows. Be sure to specify you need them for a Type III variant of the M1908. They should be of hard rubber with "COLT" banded by solid, not scalloped, lines and the rampant colt should stand alone without it being superimposed over a "C" nor having a circle surrounding it. There have been various suppliers of repro hard rubber stocks for the M1903/M1908, but I don't have a reference handy that indicates whether they duplicate these details.

Steve

 

[Ronbo]

Steve, I didn't think that 380 was that old, the fellow I bought it from years ago was a retired FBI agent but has since died. I thought they were all 1903's so you set me straight. I will scout around for the correct grips. I had them at one time but can't find them, maybe I need to clean up the mess this winter and they will turn up.

 

[Ronbo]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by LWCmdr45:
Your pistol, if in calibre .380, is actually a M1908; the M1903 is the .32 version. SN 297xx was made in 1916. Finding a replacement set of original stocks will be a challenge; you've just got to haunt Numrich/Gun Parts Corp., check the trade journals for those who deal in used stocks/grips (a laborious process as many are not on-line) and check your local gun shows. Be sure to specify you need them for a Type III variant of the M1908. They should be of hard rubber with "COLT" banded by solid, not scalloped, lines and the rampant colt should stand alone without it being superimposed over a "C" nor having a circle surrounding it. There have been various suppliers of repro hard rubber stocks for the M1903/M1908, but I don't have a reference handy that indicates whether they duplicate these details.

Steve

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Steve, I took your advise and looked at the Numrich gunsite. They have grips for a Pocket 380 Hammerless model Colt in 1st, 2nd and 3rd type. The 3rd type was part #556450 price was about $16 so they must be reproductions. If this sounds like the right one to you I will order a set, more authentic looking than what I have. If I have a 3rd model from 1916 when did the 1st and 2nd models come in there? Thanks, Ron

 

[LWCmdr45]

The Model “M” Pocket Hammerless are classified as Types I through IV. As with so many other models, there is plenty of confusion and debate over serial number/dates of variations, but here’s what I’ve compiled over the years:

There was no M1908 .380 Type I; all of the Type I were M1903 .32 pistols.

The Type I had a 4" barrel with a bushing.

M1903 .32: 1903--1907?/08?
SN 1 to 72,000

The Type II had a shortened 3.75" barrel, still with a bushing.

M1903 .32: 1907?/08?--1910
SN 72,001 to 100,458?/105,000?/105,050?

M1908 .380: 1908?/09?--1910
SN 1 to 5,291?/6,250?/6,251?

The Type III had a bushing-less 3.75” barrel with an integral muzzle lug.

M1903 .32: 1910--1926?/27?
SN 100,459?/105,001?/105,051? to 468,000?/468,096?

M1908 .380: 1910--1926?/27?
SN 5,292?/6,251?/6,252? to 92,893?/93,000?

The Type IV is a Type III with the addition of a magazine safety.

M1903 .32: 1926?/27?--1945
SN 468,001?/468,097? to 562,000?/572,215?

M1908 .380: 1926?/27?--1945
SN 92,894?/93,001?¬ó136,000?/138,009?/~150,000?

As far as the stocks, best call GPC and ask someone to eyeball the stocks as you read off the points of identification, if you want to sure.

Steve