Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP, Bright Nickel, 1917 Production with Factory Mother-of-Pearl Grips
Built in 1917, this Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket combines John M. Browning’s compact blowback design with a factory bright nickel finish and premium mother-of-pearl grip panels bearing gold-tone Colt medallions. Its early World War I production date, verified by serial number prefix 1647xx, places it among roughly 23,000 units made that year and adds collector appeal. The pistol also features Colt’s 1917 Tansley Device magazine disconnect, making this micro .25 ACP an eye-catching, historically notable example of the classic Vest Pocket line.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair – Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling – Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
This pistol remains fully functional. Surface scratches and blemishes are present on the bright nickel finish, with visible areas of finish loss.
What’s Included
- 1 × 6-round steel Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket magazine with six-hole witness pattern
- Black leather inside-the-waistband holster with metal belt clip
Designed by John M. Browning and internally designated Model N, the 1908 Vest Pocket was Colt’s answer to demand for ultra-concealable personal defense pistols. This 1917 example retains its original 2-inch carbon-steel barrel and micro size, offering the classic six-plus-one capacity in .25 ACP.
The factory bright nickel deluxe finish, applied to both slide and frame, was a premium option in 1917 and contrasts sharply with the mother-of-pearl grip panels. Each grip carries a gold-tone Colt medallion, underscoring its factory-upgraded status.
Colt incorporated the Tansley Device magazine disconnect in 1917; this safety feature prevents firing with the magazine removed. Combined with the manual thumb safety and grip safety, it gives the Vest Pocket a trio of redundant safeties unusual for pistols of its era.
Vertical rear slide serrations, an integral front blade, and a shallow rear notch provide the standard fixed sight picture. Despite wear, the bore and rifling remain serviceable, and all mechanical functions operate as intended.