Colt .32 Pocket Pistol?

sheepherder · 06-02-2009, 10:20 PM

I was down at my local dealer today, not looking for anything special (except .223 Rem unprimed brass) and he had a .32 Colt "1903" pocket pistol, like this one below...

I've always wanted one, ever since I saw Alan Ladd in "This Gun For Hire" back in the 50's...Very nice condition; I'd say 99% blue; some scratches on mag; no box...$325...

I'm thinking real hard on it...

pipeman45 · 06-03-2009, 12:02 AM

What's to think about? It looks like a sweet shooter to me.
If I didn't already own it's twin I would be asking for the address.

If you happen on a .380 in that shape for that price, let me know.

Ice · 06-03-2009, 06:18 AM

Thats a nice one. I'd grab it in a heartbeat.

Charlie

alvin · 06-03-2009, 07:33 AM

I like 1903 as well, but have not gotten time to figure out details.

John Sabato · 06-03-2009, 08:57 AM

Postino!

PLEASE post your photos on the LUGERFORUM, not Photobucket.com.

zinfull · 06-03-2009, 01:48 PM

I have been trying to buy in my area but they are over $550 for a 85% pistol. Great price.

Jerry

Douglas Jr. · 06-03-2009, 04:45 PM

I own two. They are sweety!

The older one (made in 1913, reblued) was carried by my dad during the 70s and 80s whenever he had to do some work late at night. That gun never had a jam.

In the begining of this year I got another one, in pristine condition, made in 1923. That's something I never get tired to look at.

Douglas

Ice · 06-03-2009, 07:00 PM

Just for fun, this is one that I restored. The grips are Sile replacements. Barrel is replaced, metal resurfaced and rust blued. Its an accurate little shooter.

Charlie

sheepherder · 06-03-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Sabato

Postino!

PLEASE post your photos on the LUGERFORUM, not Photobucket.com.

Done!

sheepherder · 06-04-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipeman45

What's to think about? It looks like a sweet shooter to me.

My house needs a new roof...and my insurance company is getting pissy about it...but I got a letter from the VA saying I'll be getting a one-time only payment of $250 under the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" so maybe if it comes in PFQ I can swing the Colt pocket auto...if it's still there...

Quote:

If you happen on a .380 in that shape for that price, let me know.

My NRA Firearms Assembly book says that the only difference between the 32 and the 380 is the barrel and mag...They're interchangeable...

Neil Young · 06-04-2009, 06:00 PM

I have one of these little Colt's that my Grandpa carried every day up through 1939, when he died. I've always wondered what little incidents that the pistol has been involved in. If they could only talk.

Douglas Jr. · 06-05-2009, 10:44 AM

Here is my dad's Colt 1903.
It is badly reblued, I know, but it always fire flawlessly. He always enjoy it 'causeit was very easy to carry and conceal.

Douglas

alvin · 06-05-2009, 05:12 PM

Three prettiest pistols designed by Browning are 1903, 1911, and 1935. Seems modern designers simply do not care appearance anymore.

sheepherder · 06-05-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvin

Three prettiest pistols designed by Browning are 1903, 1911, and 1935. Seems modern designers simply do not care appearance anymore.

I think the Browning Model 1936 was the best/prettiest/most advanced. Shame nobody picked up on it and produced it.

alvin · 06-05-2009, 07:12 PM

[previous message removed because it's off-topic]

Now, in topic. Some 1903 are priced at $2000+, some are priced at $500. Similiar condition. Different variations, I assume. What's the major variations of this gun?

pipeman45 · 06-06-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

My house needs a new roof...and my insurance company is getting pissy about it...but I got a letter from the VA saying I'll be getting a one-time only payment of $250 under the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" so maybe if it comes in PFQ I can swing the Colt pocket auto...if it's still there...

My NRA Firearms Assembly book says that the only difference between the 32 and the 380 is the barrel and mag...They're interchangeable...

Yea, I know of what you speak. Why does life have to get in the way of our toys?

I also was told all I needed was another barrel and mag.
Please don't let the wife know that, or I may never get to buy another gun.

alvin · 06-07-2009, 08:24 PM

Bought a book about COLT from B&N this afternoon. Just finished reading it. It did not answer my question on 1903 variations, but at least I knew where did the name "Colt Walker" come from now

It has a chapter on how COLT making pistols in 1940. Visitor (gun lover, of course) recorded what he saw in the Hartford factory. Lots of fun in reading!

sheepherder · 06-07-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvin

Bought a book about COLT from B&N this afternoon. Just finished reading it. It did not answer my question on 1903 variations...

For that answer, and others, you need Colt Firearms 1860-1954 by James Serven.

(Or 1836 - 1954; that's the one Amazon shows)

Abe Books has them much cheaper -

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Sear...arms&x=53&y=15

06-02-2009, 10:20 PM	#1
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	Colt .32 Pocket Pistol? I was down at my local dealer today, not looking for anything special (except .223 Rem unprimed brass) and he had a .32 Colt "1903" pocket pistol, like this one below... I've always wanted one, ever since I saw Alan Ladd in "This Gun For Hire" back in the 50's...Very nice condition; I'd say 99% blue; some scratches on mag; no box...$325... I'm thinking real hard on it... Attached Thumbnails Last edited by sheepherder; 06-03-2009 at 07:29 PM.

06-03-2009, 12:02 AM	#2
pipeman45 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	What's to think about? It looks like a sweet shooter to me. If I didn't already own it's twin I would be asking for the address. If you happen on a .380 in that shape for that price, let me know. Last edited by pipeman45; 06-03-2009 at 05:14 PM.

06-03-2009, 08:57 AM	#5
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Postino! PLEASE post your photos on the LUGERFORUM, not Photobucket.com. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

06-03-2009, 07:00 PM	#8
Ice User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 552 Thanks: 13 Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts	Just for fun, this is one that I restored. The grips are Sile replacements. Barrel is replaced, metal resurfaced and rust blued. Its an accurate little shooter. Charlie Attached Thumbnails

06-04-2009, 06:00 PM	#11
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 545 Thanks: 559 Thanked 442 Times in 168 Posts	I have one of these little Colt's that my Grandpa carried every day up through 1939, when he died. I've always wondered what little incidents that the pistol has been involved in. If they could only talk. Attached Images __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

06-03-2009, 06:18 AM	#3
Ice User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 552 Thanks: 13 Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts	Thats a nice one. I'd grab it in a heartbeat. Charlie

06-03-2009, 07:33 AM	#4
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	I like 1903 as well, but have not gotten time to figure out details.

06-03-2009, 01:48 PM	#6
zinfull Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sonoma County CA Posts: 243 Thanks: 5 Thanked 33 Times in 16 Posts	I have been trying to buy in my area but they are over $550 for a 85% pistol. Great price. Jerry

06-03-2009, 04:45 PM	#7
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	I own two. They are sweety! The older one (made in 1913, reblued) was carried by my dad during the 70s and 80s whenever he had to do some work late at night. That gun never had a jam. In the begining of this year I got another one, in pristine condition, made in 1923. That's something I never get tired to look at. Douglas

06-05-2009, 10:44 AM	#12
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Here is my dad's Colt 1903. It is badly reblued, I know, but it always fire flawlessly. He always enjoy it 'causeit was very easy to carry and conceal. Douglas Attached Thumbnails

06-05-2009, 05:12 PM	#13
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Three prettiest pistols designed by Browning are 1903, 1911, and 1935. Seems modern designers simply do not care appearance anymore.

06-05-2009, 07:12 PM	#15
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	[previous message removed because it's off-topic] Now, in topic. Some 1903 are priced at $2000+, some are priced at $500. Similiar condition. Different variations, I assume. What's the major variations of this gun? Last edited by alvin; 06-05-2009 at 08:39 PM.

06-07-2009, 08:24 PM	#17
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Bought a book about COLT from B&N this afternoon. Just finished reading it. It did not answer my question on 1903 variations, but at least I knew where did the name "Colt Walker" come from now It has a chapter on how COLT making pistols in 1940. Visitor (gun lover, of course) recorded what he saw in the Hartford factory. Lots of fun in reading! Attached Thumbnails