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Coltautos.com Gun of the Month - August 2017
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Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP with British Proof Marks - serial number 177071, with factory Type III hard rubber stocks (small pony), is one of 300 shipped to Colt's London Armory Company, 31 Bury Street, St. James, S.W. 1, London, England on May 21, 1915. Included in the letter as a Special Feature is that this gun was furnished with a tin (shipping) box.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP - factory letter.
An example of an original Colt Tin Shipping Box - In 1915, Colt's used a tin two piece shipping box for some overseas (Belgian Contract Pistols) and domestic shipments. The boxes were painted maroon (to resemble the standard cardboard hinged shipping box) and contained the standard labels of the day. The end label had an additional piece of paper that wrapped under the bottom of the box so that the serial number could be hand written in the standard location. Colt Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP serial number 177071 was shipped in one of these boxes as noted in the letter.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP with British Proof Marks - right side.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP with British Proof Marks - "JJ" marking on the right trigger guard bevel. According to one researcher, the JJ mark is regarded as being applied to guns sold by the Colt and Winchester agent in the United Kingdom by the London Armory Company. They are believed to represent the first two initials of the company manager. This marking has also appeared on a Winchester Model 1910 .401 rifle at a gun show in the UK. The purpose of the marking is thought to have assisted in warranty claims.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP with British Proof Marks - British Proof Marks on the barrel visible through the slide chamber.
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP with British Proof Marks - British Proof Marks on the left rear of both the slide and frame. |
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