Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Type III .380 ACP – 1920 Compact Blued Semi-Auto
This 1920 Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Type III stands out as one of the last variants produced before Colt added a magazine disconnect to the design. Chambered in .380 ACP and built on John Browning’s straight-blowback, concealed-hammer platform, it offers the classic dual-safety layout and compact size that made the series a favorite of law-enforcement and intelligence personnel of the era.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Rifling Condition: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: This Type III example remains in good shape for its age, with controls functioning properly during manual inspection.
What’s Included
- Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Type III pistol
- Two 7-round factory steel magazines with unmarked floorplates
Designed by John Browning, the Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless introduced a concealed internal hammer and dual-safety system (thumb and grip), features that influenced later Colt service pistols. The Type III variant, produced from 1926 to 1929, was the final style before Colt adopted a magazine disconnect, making this version particularly attractive to collectors who appreciate the original mechanical configuration.
This pistol’s 3.75-inch carbon-steel barrel feeds from a single-stack 7-round magazine. A heel-type magazine release keeps the profile smooth for pocket carry, while rear slide serrations provide a secure grasp for racking the action.
The factory blued finish covers both the carbon-steel frame and slide, complemented by checkered hard-rubber grips bearing the Colt banner and rampant colt motif. Fixed sights—half-moon front blade and U-notch rear—maintain the pistol’s streamlined silhouette.
Serial number in the 39,XXX range confirms 1920 production at Colt’s Hartford, Connecticut factory. With its compact dimensions, reliable blowback action, and historical significance as an early mass-market .380 pocket pistol, this Model M remains a desirable addition to any Colt collection.