Interesting Colt 1908 380

1902 Views 17 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Obiefox, Sep 27, 2017

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Discussion Starter · Sep 10, 2017 (Edited)

Found this Colt 1908 .380 at the Lone Star Arms Collector Show in Waco, Texas. The show was held September 8th & 9th, 2017. Not only is it about the best 1908 .380 I've had, it also came with a very interesting Colt letter dated May 19, 1941. The 1941 letter acknowledges an order of a Colt 1908 .380 from Major Arthur W. McDaniels. The pistol was shipped to Lou J. Eppinger Sporting Goods for delivery to Major McDaniels. There is a receipt from Lou J Eppinger Sporting Goods to Major Arthur McDaniels. A newer factory letter was also included. I also received an original holster and belt. Strictly speculation on my part...The way the letter from 1941 reads, this could be the last commercial 1908 produced. I know some sold commercially post war, but from what I have read they were assembled from left over military parts.

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wolfcoln

· #2 · Sep 10, 2017

What a beautiful Colt. What year is it and do you have more photos? We would like to see lots more photos.

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ei8ht

· #3 · Sep 10, 2017

mentallapse said:
Found this colt 1908 380 with an interesting Colt letter from 1941.

OMG! You did it again. Outstanding!

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Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 10, 2017

Will add more photos later. It is a very nice original piece with some history.

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bczadnm

· #5 · Sep 10, 2017

Very nice!

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OLDNAVYNUKESPOOK

· #6 · Sep 10, 2017

Interesting that the letter tends to imply that there were only sufficient parts available to make that one yet Brunner's book indicates that the serial number went into 138xxx, some 4,000 more.

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kwill

· #7 · Sep 11, 2017

OLDNAVYNUKESPOOK said:
Interesting that the letter tends to imply that there were only sufficient parts available to make that one yet Brunner's book indicates that the serial number went into 138xxx, some 4,000 more.

...because 1.) they didn't ship in strict SN sequence; and 2.) they geared back up to produce them for military contracts.

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oberon

· #8 · Sep 11, 2017

Another new old pistol!
This is gettin' out of hand!
Even a new old pistol has something to say. Maybe not about the guy who carried it and used it all its' life, but surely it speaks loud & clear about the incredible workmanship and engineering quality that went into it. It makes me curious about the equipment and men who produced 'em. All by manual and analog shop methods, I should add.
I'm having some real pleasant Colt 'feel-good' tonite.
Thanks.

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Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 12, 2017

did somewhat of an edit
will add pictures later

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Ray1911

· #10 · Sep 14, 2017

Beauuuuuutiful pistol! I'm seriously considering buying a 1903 Hammerless that's in pretty good condition. I'll start a thread on it and hope to get some answers.

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Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 22, 2017

Pictures added

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ei8ht

· #12 · Sep 22, 2017

mentallapse said:
Pictures added

Good Job. Looks Great!.

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tedm

· #13 · Sep 22, 2017

Thanks for posting. Great pistol w provenance and intrigue. Wonder why it was ANIB?

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Coltsformysons

· #14 · Sep 22, 2017

Holy smokes! That is an awesome find.
-Craig

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spacecoast1

· #15 · Sep 22, 2017

Wow, fantastic! A great case of provenance making all the difference!

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Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 22, 2017

tedm said:
Thanks for posting. Great pistol w provenance and intrigue. Wonder why it was ANIB?

Holster and belt came with the pistol. Not sure how long they have been together. Based on the condition it looks like Major McDaniels picked the pistol up and put it away in a dark drawer probably until it surfaced in Lexington, Ky. in 2002. Last weekend I talked to the owner of Antique & Modern Firearms. This pistol came into their shop as part of a larger collection. A friend of mine in Lexington bought this pistol from Antique & Modern Firearms and owned it for a number of years. He subsequently sold it to another friend of mine who lives in Texas. I bought it from the Texas friend. All four parties mentioned above will be at the Colt show in St. Charles, Mo. It's fun knowing three former owners of one pistol. Things like this help to make this hobby much more interesting.

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Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 25, 2017

I took some more pictures using different light angles. Bought a new light kit and have been practicing. Trying to make the pictures look the same way a gun would look when holding it in your hand.

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Obiefox

· #18 · Sep 27, 2017

May I ask about details of your new light kit?

Nice pics....
Kevin

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