ForgottenWeapons
patreon
Colt 1903 in US Military Service (and for the OSS) (Ad-free)
🕑 Added 2023-11-13 12:00:02 +0000 UTCThe Colt Model 1903, aka Pocket Hammerless, aka Model M, was a massively successful design for Colt on the commercial market. It was chambered for the .32ACP cartridge, with a .380 model introduced in 1908. During World War Two, the US government took an interest in the pistol. A total of 17,330 were purchased in .32 ACP, and another 3,113 in .380 ACP. The .32 caliber examples are found between serial numbers 541,103 and 572,215. Some were purchased by direct contract, and some procured independently from dealers.
These were never used as combat pistols, but instead went to a variety of services and agencies. Primarily they were used for military police and intelligence services (the Office of Strategic Services), including a full third of them being sent to the UK for use by Special Operations Executive. One of the examples we have today is documented by Colt records as being delivered to OSS, in fact.
Around October 1944, several changes were made to the pistol:
- The sights were made larger, both front and rear.
- Slide serrations increased from 17 to 19.
- The finish changed from blued to phosphated.
- The "US Property" stamp font got slightly larger.
Comments
Fruitbat44
Neat little on a, well, not a Forgotten Weapon, but for a relatively forgotten role for a weapon. Neat little pistol for concealed carry, back in the day, too.
Erik
A quick check of an online inflation calculator says that the $0.50 extra cost for bluing over Parkerizing in 1944 would equate to $8.74 in 2023. Nine bucks for a Colt blue job? Yes please!
Guido Schriewer
very slick. wouldn´t surprise me if christopher lee had one of those in the war. friend sended me a magazin article where some smith upgrated sights and safety on one to a "modern standart". imagine a pocket hammerless with novaks and a semi big safety lever. very cool pistol!
Mrgunsngear
The original LCP
Daniel Standridge
Anyone see one with a threaded barrel?
David Brewer
So were these the source of magazines for the 7.65mm Welrod?
Thomas Batha
Besides the increased durability of a phosphate finish, the gun requires significantly less final polishing and even a step back, less machine finishing. In addition to cost savings it also speeds up production. While not as noticeable on the featured Colts, it is particularly evident on wartime service rifles. I believe the .380 cal. version is the M1908 and they were purchased specifically to augment the .32s which were in short supply and out of production.
