[surjimmy]

Guys this is one model I can't get a handle on, but I can't stay away from them either. This is a 1908(?) 380 acp. not sure of when it was made. Please help me put a value on this and PLEASE DON"T say what someone will give you, that is no help. The price range is crazy. There is one on Gunbroker for buy now for $750(#356407531) I mean I wouldn't give you $100 for and they just go up. So any help such as value, age, anything I would be grateful. It retains most of it's bluing, there is some shallow pitting by trigger and a small spot on top of slide. The back strap has most of the bluing wore off and of course the grips are not original. Serial number is 78534

 

[chaosrob]

I could be wrong but I believe in that serial range wood grips would be appropriate. The ones on it are for the early type 1 I believe. I have purchased quite a few of these in the past couple months and the range is all over the place. I have given from 300-900 for them, with the 900 being almost mint in the box. It might be worthwhile to put on broker to get maximum dollar with some of the dogs they have listed on there way overpriced.

 

[Goldcup62]

You are right that the price range for Colt 1908's is crazy! I have been looking for a nice 'shooter' grade Colt 1908 in .380 and it has been an eye opening experience. Locally we have a gun collector who collects near mint guns and their accompanying boxes and he says that the Colt 1908 prices have soared and are getting more difficult to find in excellent condition or better. I was offered to buy one of his 1908's, but frankly they are too nice to shoot! As for the value of your gun, watch for Gunbroker sales and past sales to get an idea on 1908's in similar condition to yours. I'm no expert on 1908's, but a nice shooter grade Colt 1908 in 90% finish or better, I would most likely be paying nearly $900 for one.

 

[rjinaz85308]

I sold one (for $650 a couple of months ago) that looked about like that, but with wood grips (which were appropriate as it was a 1927). Be sure it has the correct magazine and not a aftermarket one.

 

[ei8ht]

Serial number 78534 would be a 1923-1924 build date.
In 1924 the checkered walnut grips became standard.
It is probable that your Colt left the factory with the early
walnut grips, I say this because the early walnut grips had
the medallions with the horse facing forward on both the right
and left side. This only lasted for about 1 thousand 1908's
later in 1924 they used the same medallion on both sides
to save costs. After which the right side grip faces to the rear.
These grips are rare and command a high price to collectors.
Because you colt has the first style of hard rubber grips
they were probably put on as replacements. The factory
hard rubber grips if used should have been last version used.
Just my opinion.

 

[jcs]

The last one I sold to a fellow Colt Forum member was for $750. It was a circa 1937. I hope this helps. I'm not sure when Colt put the serial number in the slide. Some I have seen have this and others do not. This example had a matching serial number on the slide and frame. For comparison, here are pictures:

 

[JudgeColt]

The brass escutcheons on the stocks indicate to me that they are probably reproductions rather than originals.

 

[Halfcocked]

I agree that those are aftermarket reproduction grips. This pistol should have Type III rubber or wood. These grips belong on a Type I and should be a greenish color like the checkered SAA grips of that period. These appear to be black and those escutcheons are definitely wrong ...

I am addicted to these old pistols and that they are my favorite ever made. I have never seen one jam and my 380 drill nails even after 85 years.

 

[chaosrob]

He already state the grips were aftermarket....

 

[Halfcocked]

Thanks for keeping me on my toes .... the world needs more guy like that around.

 

[chaosrob]

It wasn't meant to be condescending but the posts seem to have gravitated towards the grips not being correct when it was already touched on by the op. The op asked about value and year of mfg. According to my info it says 1926 as the born on date and with original grips it would probably fetch 750, with current grips I would say 600.00. The way these things have been going crazy on gb I would place it there. It may get more than these estimates.

 

[Halfcocked]

It did gravitate to the grips and you're spot on as far as value. My apologies. I paid $750 for one of these over a year ago .... made in 1925. The condition wasn't as quite as good but everything was original.

 

[ei8ht]

According to Brunner's books one and two on the "Colt Pocket Hammerless
Automatic Pistols" The born on date would be 1924. This is the reference that
most Hammerless collectors use. If it had the original walnut checkered grips
from 1924 "with both medallions facing forward" it would be a $900+ pistol
as these grips are scarce and often sell for 3 to 4 hundred bucks alone.

I know it's a moot point because it doesent, but just saying IF it did.
(as this is probably why it doesn't, they were removed for their value
and used elsewhere or sold)

 

[1988RRC]

Late last month I bought one similar to yours for $300.00; I robbed the original mag off of it and replaced it with the nice repo mag that was on a very nice Pocket Hammerless I had.

 

[oberon]

I got a 1933 of that last year. The guy was willing to haggle a little and I got a great deal on a very nice (95%) pistol. $650 OTD.
He had it at the show the previous weekend for considerably more (I think he woulda dickered then, too), and was preparing to put it on the auction site. The same guy had sold me my first model M about 15 or 16 years ago, and looked to avoid the internet hassle.
I'm thinkin' $6-650 would be very reasonable for that thing with the correct mag. They will never go down in price, y'know.
Don't be surprised by the high money on those.
That thing looks pretty good to me.