Colt 1903
Looking at possibly getting a 1903 in .32. Most of the ones I see for sale are older in vintage. Not many newer ones for sale. I'd like to see pics of some 1903 pistols and if you have some pics of the later guns.
1903 Collectors
Originally Posted By hkusp:
Looking at possibly getting a 1903 in .32. Most of the ones I see for sale are older in vintage. Not many newer ones for sale. I'd like to see pics of some 1903 pistols and if you have some pics of the later guns.
1903 Collectors
LOL they are ALL vintage.

They all look the same, the first gen's have a barrel bushing like a 1911, the later two generations don't.
They work great, mags are hard to find, but supposedly you can do a .380 conversion on them pretty easy.
Those little guns are cool.
Board Walk Empire..... classic gun
Nice little guns, I have a 1903 and a 1908 with original finish and they are little works of art.
I would like one this nice, but I'll probably get a shooter first.
Looks refinished, nice job for sure but not the original finish.
Here's one I purchased about a year ago on Gunbroker

As much as I like it I haven't purchased ammo for it cause I don't intend to shoot it since its never been fired.
My fiancée's pistol, courtesy of her grandfather.

Mine, from my Grandpa M's estate
Here is mine, later model with original finish. The later models around the 20s I believe had an added half cock notch and bushingless barrel. I have the exact dates somewhere but Its too early for it.
The magazines Numrich sell work perfectly. I used the stock original mag once just to test it but its in such good condition it sits oiled in a drawer. I use the Numrich mags exclusively and have never had a problem. This is one Colt I'd love to see brought back.
Originally Posted By Nakanokalronin:
Here is mine, later model with original finish. The later models around the 20s I believe had an added half cock notch and bushingless barrel. I have the exact dates somewhere but Its too early for it.
http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/131/l_a3e3f60af6024d3f9fc7f83779e31e94.jpg
The magazines Numrich sell work perfectly. I used the stock original mag once just to test it but its in such good condition it sits oiled in a drawer. I use the Numrich mags exclusively and have never had a problem. This is one Colt I'd love to see brought back.
Beuuuuuuuuuuuuutiful!
Originally Posted By fxntime:
Originally Posted By Nakanokalronin:
Here is mine, later model with original finish. The later models around the 20s I believe had an added half cock notch and bushingless barrel. I have the exact dates somewhere but Its too early for it.
http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/131/l_a3e3f60af6024d3f9fc7f83779e31e94.jpg
The magazines Numrich sell work perfectly. I used the stock original mag once just to test it but its in such good condition it sits oiled in a drawer. I use the Numrich mags exclusively and have never had a problem. This is one Colt I'd love to see brought back.
Beuuuuuuuuuuuuutiful!
Thanks!

I really lucked out on it since the price was in the same range as a shooter grade 1903. I bought it last year and it came with the original box and some old little bottle of Hoppes. The box top is torn up but its still nice to have it since its stayed with the gun for so long. My 1903 pictured was made in 1931.
I am a sucker for the early 1903's, here is mine from 1908
Pretty good shape for a 103 year old gun. Wonder how many owners it had through the years.
they are beautiful little guns!
I want one bad. I'm thinking of getting a shooter, refinishing it, and adding a decent set of combat sights to it and using it as a CCW piece here in Florida
Just got this today. Manf 1917. $200
Rough outside, pristine inside. Yay me!
"...but believe me a Colt is a mighty necessary part of an automobile equipment nowadays."
anybody know of a current source for mags? I'm going to buy a few, even before I get the pistol
Gunbroker is about the best place. I think it was Triple K that was making new but the one I had (and most of the ones I've heard of) have been less than relaible.
And BCW, I'll give you $201..... plus shipping.

one of my grail guns that i'd like to run across someday would be one of the U.S. Property marked WW2 era 1903's or 08's
My 1913 made 1903; refinished. I even got the smith to do the fire blue on the trigger and such.

I have one that I like to carry, I've considered getting it refinished. Is refinishing a negative as far as resale value?
I've probably watched too many "Antique Road Show" episodes.
Thanks, Eric
In general refinishing knocks 50% off collector value.
That is, if it has collector value
What is the original finish for a 1903? Mine's a few posts up and obviously there isn't enough finish to tell.
Originally Posted By bcw107:
What is the original finish for a 1903? Mine's a few posts up and obviously there isn't enough finish to tell.
A high-polish blue.
Look at photos of originals here:
http://www.coltautos.com/1903ph.htm
You guys shooting these? I inherited a M1903 made in 1940 according to the Colt website. I don't think running a box through it will hurt it any. The finish isn't pristine but better than some of the examples posted here - which are all nice pistols,imo.
in before send to me for proper disposal, etc.

Originally Posted By Cobb:
You guys shooting these? I inherited a M1903 made in 1940 according to the Colt website. I don't think running a box through it will hurt it any. The finish isn't pristine but better than some of the examples posted here - which are all nice pistols,imo.
in before send to me for proper disposal, etc.

I shot mine last week. Accuracy is good, recoil is almost undetectable. I was surprised at the price of .32ACP.
I shoot mine! Every so often the pin holding the extractor works out on mine. The 1908 doesn't do that trick.
Thank you for your replies. Internet shopping has shown me .32 ACP being about 45 cents a shot less shipping but everything's going up, isn't it?

Thanks for the advice about the walking pin. Just the kind of thing needed to know to give a 70 year old pistol the respect it deserves.

My inherited 1903, mfg 1909. Rifling and internals are near pristine. Any idea of value?

Is that an original case for it?
Originally Posted By bcw107:
Is that an original case for it?
I don't think it was factory, but the case looks very old. Its red with a leather handle that says HMS on it. The cleaning rod is missing though.
Originally Posted By Jeeper21:
Originally Posted By bcw107:
Is that an original case for it?
I don't think it was factory, but the case looks very old. Its red with a leather handle that says HMS on it. The cleaning rod is missing though.
I'd suggest then that you check with Colt to who it was shipped to:
http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServices/ArchiveServices.aspx
As far as value, who knows? Could be $400, could be $1000. Could be more if you can find out who HMS was. There are a bunch of these guns out there and the value really seems to fluctuate, but the desire doesn't.
Type II. Not original presentation case, rough finish.
Intact early grips.
I'd love to see the other side, mind you, or have a SN# range.
If the internals are decent, and the barrel is not destroyed or the bushing hogged out, it's a $350-$500 gun.
The grips are worth a fair penny.
I'd probably pick it up if I saw it for $400.
I appreciate the informative replies.
Toiyabe, best shot I could get of the barrel. SN range is 91xxx. I shot a few rounds out of it last week and its fairly accurate. The last time before that was about 20 some years ago when I first fired it as a kid, otherwise I probably wouldn't have taken the risk. Overall it shoots and feels 100% except for the outside appearance.
My Colt 1908 Pocket Model M Hammerless in .380 ACP its a Type III made in 1921. Love it and shoot it. Dont carry it no more because it felt criminal to carry such an old vintage piece in great condition. I bought mine off a local guy back in January. After watching Who framed Roger rabbit on TV one night. I had to find one lol and did! It is my favorite pistol and Colt should really make these. Hell the classics and updated ones with larger calibers. Guns are just not made like these anymore...
Yup, solid Type II.
I'd probably go to $500, because I want one, but it's a realistic $400-500 gun.
Local prices seem to vary a bunch on these, so be aware.
Here is mine, same age, SN 91xxx, version 2, finish is worn but shoots great, i shoot it all the time, the insides look great when i detail strip it

Although, not an 1903, this 1908 is basically the same.
One of the finest auto ever made next to the 1908. I am new on this site and as soon as I completely figure it out I will post a few pics of my 1908 .380.
Originally Posted By thenorthrange:
One of the finest auto ever made next to the 1908. I am new on this site and as soon as I completely figure it out I will post a few pics of my 1908 .380.
Welcome to the site and it's great you've already bought a membership. The easiest way to post pictures is to create a Photobucket account and then follow these instructions:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=3&t=638569