US Marine Peace Corps - - - ????

I can give you a S.W.A.G., but it's really tough without pictures. In my area (SE Texas), $475 minimum...up to around $600. I suspect the stamping is from something else.

 

Colt Model 1908 380 Hammerless Value
Could anyone tell me an approximate Value of a Colt Model 1908 380 Hammerless with original Magazine. The first 3 digits of the Serial Number is 440, and it has only a 4 digit serial number, which according to Colt was made in 1910. This pistol also has "MPC No #***" stamped on the Backstrap, it was an issued sidearm by the US Marine Peace Corps. The condition is original and I would say still about 75%. Any thoughts or values appreciated, thanks!
Images?

Not likely a Military issue...but could have been a private purchase/private possession, of someone who was in the Military.

Can you post some good, well lit, fairly close images of it?

Sounds interesting, definitely!

 

Well it was a military issue far as I know, the guy I got it from joined the Peace Corps in 1939 and it was the sidearm he was issued, he even took it to war with him. I will take some pics and post them soon as I get home.

 

Metropolitan Parks Commission (Boston PD). This is a Police issue Hammerless and is what I collect.
Value depends on condition, pictures a must.
That being said it is of high value, your looking at at least a grand.

Go to Sam's site for more information.


Colt Pistols and Revolvers for Firearms Collectors - Model 1903 .32 ACP & Model 1908 .380 ACP Pocket Hammerless Police Department Marked Pistol Variations

 

Interestingly, J.W. Brunner in his book (page 117) refers instead to "Metropolitan Police Commission?" (the "?" was added by the author himself). I suspect this info has been rectified since 2009 (i.e. "P" would be for Parks not Police...?)
At any event, a total 214 pistols procured by Boston PD is an interesting low figure. I wonder how many of those have survived/been reported.

Bruno

 

I wonder how many of those have survived/been reported.
Bruno

Including the 5 shown on Sam Liskers site I know of 8.

For more on the is it "Police or Parks" here is a good site to
dig around in:

The Metropolitan Park Commission Police
M.D.C. Police Photos - Met Park Police (1893-1919)

Then there is the name game:

In 1919 the Massachusetts State Legislature consolidated
three separate unifunctional state level agencies serving the Boston metropolitan area;
The Metropolitan Park Commission, The Metropolitan Water Works and the Metropolitan Sewer Commission.
all combined to form the Metropolitan District Commission.
As a result, the Metropolitan Park Police were renamed the Metropolitan District Police. MDC

It all depends on your time reference. The Pistols we are talking about here were all
acquired between 1908 and 1910 and represent the earliest known Police issue use
of the Colt Pocket Hammerless

 

I sold one that was nickel plated about a year ago for $500.

 

I just checked out the website, this pistol is one of the 214, that is what I have, I did not know that! I am glad to finally know what it is! Only 214, so this is a pretty rare gun I assume. Mine has all the same markings, I have Pistol #155.

 

Hotrod, it is always exciting when one of these shows up. (Police Marked Hammerless)
Can you tell us more about the past ownership of your pistol?
Going to the Peace Corps in 1939 and then to War (WWII?) there has to be a story.

 

Was the one you sold Ljohns a M.P.C. Model?

 

No, it wasn't.

 

ei8ht I sent you a couple of private messages

 

Ok I got this from my wife's Grandpa before he passed away, all he told me was that he joined the peace corps in 1939 and he talked about carrying it to war with him but he was not all there before he passed but I assumed it was a standard issue and the initials on the back strap made me think it was the peace corps but after what I saw it is definitely a metropolitan police Pistol! I can send you some pics if you like

 

Any chance he was assigned to a "peace-keeping force" sent somewhere at that time, since the Peace Corps hadn't been founded yet?

 

So is there only 8 in existence besides mine?

 

I'm sure there are many more, but the statement was of how many did I know of, LOL!

 

Post pictures of the pistol. The suspense is killing me.....

As an explanation of provenance; it's not at all uncommon for memories to fade or embellishments to be added to "family history". This is one reason pieces such as yours should be lettered, IMHO. I say this with all due respect.

 

It will letter to:

Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Company
-OR-
William Read & Sons
Boston Massachusetts

There is hardly ever a finial PD Department desegregation
much to the frustration of historical collectors.

Here is a letter snippet from Sam Liskers site.

Police Department orders in the Massachusetts area were
often split between these two dealers not wishing to
offend one or the other.

 

Very interesting!!

 

Yes I agree I should have put IMHO or something like that but I was unaware of how different the facts were! I will posts some pics soon as I can, I guess it won't let me post from my iPhone so I will upload some to the laptop soon as I can and post

 

There was no Peace Corps in 1939 and they were never issued weapons, and the Marine Corps was never accused of making peace.

 

Well we figured out that it isn't a Peace Corps Model, it is a Metropolitan Parks Commission Model

 

So, to re-ask one of the original questions: if the seller/buyer do not value the markings then the pistol is worth $500 as in Ljohns auction example. If the buyer/seller knows the value of the markings, is it worth double, $1000 ?
I had a previous thread about Coast Guard, NASA and TVA marked Woodsman that I picked up from the ex-Colt historian for no premium. Go figure!

 

But wait, There's More.....

So, to re-ask one of the original questions: if the seller/buyer do not value the markings then the pistol is worth $500 as in Ljohns auction example.

In this case more like $400

If the buyer/seller knows the value of the markings, is it worth double, $1000 ?

In this case more like Triple, $1200 - $1300

And to be clear, I did buy Hotrod78's MPC marked Pistol.



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ei8ht,
Seems like this seller may be spinning a yarn of a tale with this listing about OSS issue and equating it to the 25 model N. His listing starts at $3500. Thoughts anyone?
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