Question about Mod M Hammerless pistol magazines

All I can find on the subject is "The "two-tone" magazines were first blued using a carbonia blue in a gas furnace, then the top was inserted into a cyanide bath to harden the feed lips, which removed the blue. It could not be done the other way because the bluing furnace was hot enough to eliminate the hardening. When Colt went to a hot tank blue in the late 1930's they could harden the magazine first and then blue because the bluing tank was not hot enough to affect the hardening."

My guess would be in the late 1930's when 2 tone mags were discontinued. Also, two-tone magazines for the M1911 were eliminated in 1940.

I am sure someone has an exact answer.

In 1913 magazines were hardened in such a way as to remove the blueing which gave a two-tone effect and was discontinued between 1938 -1940 on the M1903 and 1941-1944 on the M1908 .380 (ref pg 21 "The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols II" by J.W. Brunner). Prior to 1913 and after 1944 the magazines were fully blued.

Thanks Jeff and Elliot. I thought maybe the two tone mags were discontinued earlier than 1937 but these guns are models I am not very familiar with.

The only thing I already knew was that the tops were inserted into a chemical bath to reharden them. Feed lip strength is of paramount importance to magazine fed pistols and rifles.

I don't have Mr. Brunner's book. Maybe if I acquire another one or two of these pistols, I'll be interested in buying his book. Like all of these specialty books, I understand it is pretty expensive.

Mike, I bought mine off a forum member along with Mullin's "Colt's New Service Revolver". IMO the Brunner book was the better of the 2. Can't remember what I paid off the top of my head but the dustcover is marked $79.95. I do know I paid less.

Jeff

MtnSpur said:

In 1913 magazines were hardened in such a way as to remove the blueing which gave a two-tone effect and was discontinued between 1938 -1940 on the M1903 and 1941-1944 on the M1908 .380 (ref pg 21 "The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols II" by J.W. Brunner). Prior to 1913 and after 1944 the magazines were fully blued.

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I have a 1903 from 1912 the mag is all blue, but not marked on the bottom. It does appear to be period. Where all of the mags marked on the bottom? Thanks. Dennis

1908 magazines

Malysh said:

What era did Colt make two tone magazines for the .380 Mod M Hammerless pistol? When were they discontinued?

I'm getting a 1937 Colt .380 Hammerless next week that comes with a factory two tone magazine. There is no extra one with the deal.
Once I get the gun I will post a thread. Maybe with some new pictures, maybe with the ones the seller provided me with. That depends on when the humidity and heat wave abate.

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Here is a link for 1903 and 1908 magazine information. Colt Pistols and Revolvers for Firearms Collectors - Model 1903 .32 ACP & Model 1908 .380 ACP Pocket Hammerless Factory Magazines

mentallapse said:

Here is a link for 1903 and 1908 magazine information. Colt Pistols and Revolvers for Firearms Collectors - Model 1903 .32 ACP & Model 1908 .380 ACP Pocket Hammerless Factory Magazines

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Thanks mentallapse

mentallapse said:

Here is a link for 1903 and 1908 magazine information. Colt Pistols and Revolvers for Firearms Collectors - Model 1903 .32 ACP & Model 1908 .380 ACP Pocket Hammerless Factory Magazines

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Thanks! I should have thought of checking Sam's site, but I didn't.

Mike
Look forward to seeing the new Colt.
I believe I would trade my ordnance DS's for an OSS Colt 1903.
Ron

Ronald12 said:

Mike
Look forward to seeing the new Colt.
I believe I would trade my ordnance DS's for an OSS Colt 1903.
Ron

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Well, this is an ordinary commercial one as far as I can tell. 1937 production. I don't see any need for a letter to discover it was sent to a non descript hardware store in the hinterlands (most probably).
I don't think I'd trade my military DS for anything. I'd just try to get the other pistol as best I could. I guess when you have two of them you can afford to be gallant!

Mike
I think you are probably right. I would sell something else to afford one! Ron