Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless
| Colt Pocket Hammerless | |
|---|---|
| Pocket Hammerless in .380 ACP Caliber | |
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut |
| Produced | 1903 - 1945 |
| Variants | M1903, M1908 (Types 1 - 5) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 930 g (24 Ounces) |
| Length | 205 mm (7 inches (Type I), 6 3/4 inches (Types 2 - 5)) |
| Barrel length | 127 mm (4 inches (Type I), 3 3/4 inches (Types 2 - 5)) |
| Cartridge | .32 ACP (M1903) and .380 ACP (M1908) |
| Action | single action, blowback |
| Feed system | 8 round detachable box magazine (M1903) and 7 round detachable box magazine (M1908) |
| Sights | fixed Iron sights |
The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless is .32 ACP self-loading semi-automatic pistol introduced by Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut and developed by John Browning. The Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless is a variant introduced five years later in .380 ACP.
They were popular civilian firearms for much of their life and served as United States General Officer pistols from the 1940s until replacement by the M15 General Officers pistol in the 1970s.
Many gangsters of the pre-World War Two era favored this weapon as it was small and easily concealed. It is said Al Capone kept one in his coat pocket and Bonnie Parker used one to break Clyde Barrow out of jail after sneaking it into the jail by taping it to her thigh.
Note: There was also a Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer pistol in .38 ACP, but this design is unrelated. The FN Model 1903 pistol design is related to the Colt Pocket Hammerless, but it is physically larger due to its chambering in 9 x 20mm SR Browning Long.
History
Approximately 570,000 of these guns were produced from 1903 to 1945 in five different types.
The Colt M1903 and M1908 Colt Pocket Hammerless pistols were issued to US Army and Air Force general officers from World War II through the 1970s, when stocks ran out. These included Generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Marshall, and Patton. General Officer models were issued with a brown or black (depending on service and regulations) leather holster, pistol belt, ammunition pocket. A cleaning rod and two spare magazines were also included in the kit. The pistol was engraved with the officer's name.
Design
Special features include a serrated slide to prevent slippage during manual cycling of the slide, and two safety mechanisms (a grip safety and a manual safety). A magazine safety was added on later models. Despite the title 'Hammerless', the Model 1903 does have a hammer, but it is hidden from view by the gun's slide. In 1908, a harder-hitting .380 ACP version of this gun was introduced. Called the Model 1908, it was nearly identical to the Model 1903 except for the bore diameter and the magazine, which held seven rounds (one less than the Model 1903).
Grip panels were black checked hard rubber, checked walnut, special order materials (ivory, mother of pearl, inset medallion).
Sights were fixed, although the rear sight was drift-adjustable for windage.
Metal finish was blued or nickel, and some special-order finishes such as engraved, silver or gold plated.
Specifications
- Calibers:
- Weight (unloaded): 640 g
- Length: 205 mm
- Barrel length: 127 mm
- Capacity:
- 8 rounds (.32 ACP)
- 7 Rounds (.380 ACP)
Variants
- Type I: separate barrel bushing, 4 inch barrel
- Type II: separate barrel bushing, 3 3/4 inch barrel
- Type III: integrated barrel bushing, 3 3/4 inch barrel
- Type IV: integrated barrel bushing, 3 3/4 inch barrel, magazine safety
- Type V: integrated barrel bushing, 3 3/4 inch barrel, magazine safety, military sights
- Police marked variations.
Bibliography
- Colt 1903 Hammerless written by Gerard HENROTIN (H&L Publishing - HLebooks.com - 2003)
- The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols written by John W. Brunner(Phillips Publications - 1996)
External links
