[ei8ht]

Left to Right--Woonsocket PD No-2// PDNY No-213// PDNY No-697// Colt Experimental Target Barrel

 

[ei8ht]

I'm told that not much is known about the Colt Hammerless Target type barrels.
In Brunners book (Book one) on page 21 there is a brief comment that Colt
at some point experimented with a six inch target barrel.
There are few known examples some in 32 some in 380.
Brunner goes on to list the serial numbers of 9 known examples but there may be more.
I have only seen three. The one I have (32) and two others of collector friends.
Some of the barrels are marked "Barrel by DU MOND"
Mine has no marking and matches the slide perfectly.
It is an extra 4 inches for a total of 7 and 3/4 or so.
It shoots great. None that I have seen in person or in pictures in Brunners book look the same.
I suspect they were never mass produced, perhaps only a few made as a test
but it is not known if all were at the direction of Colt or someone else.
Never the less it makes for a rare and interesting Colt.

 

[ei8ht]

ei8ght,

That is very interesting. Never seen one before. Is that heavy looking barrel at the end actually a sleeve around the barrel?
I'd like to see some pics of that gun field stripped.

It appears to be all one solid barrel that was machined to look the way it does. The Barrel bushing cam is the same as a regular
barrel. In fact this barrel would fit any late 32 although this long barrel has been with this Pistol for a very long time and is
mentioned in Brunners Book (I) by serial number as one of the known 9 long barrel Colts.

I took some pictures as requested but keep in mind my camera is a cheapy and my photo skills are about as good as my computer skills, not very.
I tried to show the cam area and how the barrel is made. Some I have seen are shorter, some are tapered, mine is the same from front to back.
I think it looks better than the others I have seen. I have never seen another that is the same diameter the whole length. It is a bit front heavy
but shoots dead on.

 

[ei8ht]

Photo's more:

This is the only Target Barrel Hammerless that I have ever seen that was for sale. It cost more than any other Pistol I have
in my collection, More than a USP 380 Generals Pistol! AND WORTH EVERY PENNY!!! LOL!
I hope you enjoyed my pictures.
Normally I only collect Police Department marked Colt Hammerlss but this is just way too cool.

Regards

Jim

 

[ei8ht]

Nice Auto's. Particularly the 03.
But I did not see a revolver in the Pictures.

 

[ei8ht]

Hello ei8ht, Could you tell me about the 1903 PDNY No-697. I notice it has timber stocks without medalions or checkering. Are these original to the gun?
I also have an old 1903 with professionally made and fitted timber stocks very similar to yours but can't seem to find any info as to whether the factory was supplying these. Mine are numbered to the gun and fill the hand somewhat better as they are wider than the usual ones. Dave.

Dave,
I believe the Timber stocks were available from Colt on special request after 1912.
The Pistol you asked about is 16292, a 380 Hammerless from about 1913 and Roll Marked "PDNY 213" on the right frame.
I added this to the pile about 3 years ago and bought it from a Wisconsin dealer who told me it was a trade in
from the Grandson of a deceased New York PD Detective.
It is the only example I have of this type stock.
I believe them to be original, they are very worn and match the Pistol well.
Here are a few pictures I took tonight. Thanks for asking.

 

[ei8ht]

Hi ei8ht,



I am pretty sure those Stocks are old Home-Made ones, and not a Colt option of the day.

They appear to be made of Quarter Sawn Oak, and, that was not a Species which Colt would have offered or used.

Also, their overall shape and the tool marks and irregularities in areas of their backs, would not co-respond to the details of a Colt Stock when such was made of Wood.

Both Screw escutcheons appear to have been set into slightly too shallow of a counterbore, and then filed down to be flush with the surface of the Wood, with the left side one being more filed down than the right.

This also is not what one would see if a set of Wooden Stocks were a Colt item.


No doubt they are old, and had been with the Pistol however long...but, I am confident that they were not what the Pistol came with from Colt.

Thank You for sharing your expertise on these stocks. I had nothing else to compare them to. It is good to know what their not.
I should do a Factory Letter, probably will say stocks unknown as usual. The two other PDNY Colts I have are with the normal hard rubber grips.
This one remains to be a favorite, the wood grips give it a "Been there Done that look" to me.
Many Thanks.

 

[ei8ht]

Most Excellent Double Header!!!

 

[ei8ht]

Playing around with my new light box for taking pictures.
Still lots to learn.

 

[ei8ht]

A pair of PDNY beaters.
Most Police Hamerless are well used and show it.

 

[ei8ht]

Shanghai Fall M1908 380 hammerless...

 

[ei8ht]

Shanghai Fall M1908 380 hammerless...More..

.

I'd rather have obiefox's PDNY 380 hammerless.

 

[ei8ht]

Picked up some new stocks for my 1903. These are very nice recently made stocks that used original deep dish medallions.

Most Excellent, I like them. Probably came from the same place these did...

I'd rather have obiefox's PDNY 380 hammerless.

 

[ei8ht]

Newest addition to the collection...
View attachment 101569

Most Excellent...Welcome to the Forum spencer.

 

[ei8ht]

Three of ei8ht?

Actually, Three of one hundred shipped in 1913.

Three for ei8ht...LOL

 

[ei8ht]

DuMond Target pistol conversion to a 1922 M1903 hammerless

Sent from my mPhone type II using 1908power


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