Colt Automatic 1903 Hammerless 380.

2

20BELOW

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I am having a hard time finding any info on this gun. It seems that there are lots of 1903 .32s but no .380s. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
I thought I had a 1908 until I looked closer. One side of the slide is marked "calibre .380 hammerless" and the other side has a patent date of Apr. 20 1897. Dec. 22, 1903. From the pictures I have seen the pattern of the writing is the same as the 1903 .32s. ???
 
I own a hammerless Colt .380 model 1908. It is an excellent, very compact autoloader, although the sights -- for me -- are fairly inadequate for anything but close ranges (<15 yards). Colt's web site may still have some historical and design information re the model 1908. FYI, it is a pre-1911 Browning design. Mine was manufactured in the late 1930s or very early 1940s.
 
That's just it. I don't think it is a 1908. It has all the marking style of the 1903s and is marked 1903, but it is a .380. I didn't think they made .380s in 03? I'll take some pictures.
 
The 1908 is the same as the 1903, just in .380. Mine has the same patent dates stamped on it as yours but mine was made in 1921. Can't go by patent dates to determine model. There are some collectors who say there really is no such thing as a 1908. All Colt did was make the 1903 available in 2 different calibers.
 
It's actually a Colt Model "M" as is the .32. The 1903 and 1908 designations came from when they were first introduced. ( Model 1908 .25 Auto is the Model "N")

Dean
 
These little pistols were actually still on issue in the army as general officer's pistols when I was in the army, which has been a while now. We had two in our arms rooms but I don't know if they were .32 or .380. I believe the army used both.
 
By the serial number and a Colt production list. You will need to find someone that has a list or you can post the number (You don't need to reveal the whole number i.e. 123,4xx will do) here on the forum and somebody may look it up for you.

Dean
 
Thanks Dean. I appreciate the info. If there is someone out there who could look up the date for me that would be really great. The number is
604xx. Thanks in advance.
 
One reason to consider the .32ACP and the .380ACP as different models is that Colt serial numbered them in separate series.

Per Wilson, 1908 .380ACP number 604xx was made in 1922.

Jim
 
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