[mentallapse]

Attended the Missouri Valley Arms Collector Show in Kansas City this past weekend. Didn't find much, but what I did find was pretty good. Actually it was worth the drive. The first one is a factory engraved 1903 .32. It does letter with the pearl grips.

The next one is a very nice 1903 Pocket Hammer. The Colt recessed medallion pearl grips were probably added as they are not mentioned in the archives letter.

 

[topduarte]

I like both but the 1st one I really enjoy. Nice pickups

 

[victorio1sw]

Two very nice Colt autos! Interesting letters on both. The grips on the 38/c are very desirable, although earlier and not mentioned in the Shipping Ledger. That 38/c also looks impossible to upgrade! Extremely nice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[WVCOLT]

Very nice pickups to say the least. I like them both. You did very well here. And thanks for sharing them with us here.

 

[DeaconKC]

Both are very fine, but wow, I love that 1903!

 

[mentallapse]

Thanks Victorio, you are correct. The grips are a bit earlier than the pistol. When I was looking at the pistol, Doug Sheldon was standing beside me. I didn't know who he was although I have one of the books he wrote on the pocket hammer. He was giving his input so I introduced myself to him. He told me who he was and that he wrote the book. The recessed medallions were used for several years until they were used up. They were probably added later, but I really didn't care.

 

[Rick Bowles]

Randy,

As I recall, for a short time in 1923, Colt used flush mounted medallions that were forward facing like the recessed. That might be a challenging quest!

 

[29aholic]

I love palindrome serial numbers!!!

 

[sumthin_nu]

System needs a change.....those deserve multiple "likes", thumbs ups" at the same time!

 

[smutt]

Nice pickup, I'd be proud to own either one.

 

[Buickgsman]

both are absolutely stunning, very nice! Congrats!

 

[Malysh]

Both of them are very nice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ei8ht]

Most Excellent, Good job.
You can't find them if you don't look...
I look!

 

[OLDNAVYNUKESPOOK]

Randy is too modest. To really grasp the magnificence of the engraved 1903 in all its glory, take a look at his outstanding photography: American Arms & Antiques : guns collectibles Winchesters Colts Civil War Cowboy Era

 

[somd_mustangs]

Fantastic!

 

[73shovel]

Randy, you continue to outdo yourself.

 

[jeffro13]

Love the serial # on #1!!!!

 

[RSColts]

Beauties....the ‘03 is stunning.

 

[oberon]

We don't see 'em like that around these parts.
Absolutely elegant.

 

[victorio1sw]

Thanks Victorio, you are correct. The grips are a bit earlier than the pistol. When I was looking at the pistol, Doug Sheldon was standing beside me. I didn't know who he was although I have one of the books he wrote on the pocket hammer. He was giving his input so I introduced myself to him. He told me who he was and that he wrote the book. The recessed medallions were used for several years until they were used up. They were probably added later, but I really didn't care.

On your gun this is nothing more than one speculation - but sometimes when someone replaced his "old model" with a new gun, the fancy grips were transferred from the "retired" pistol.