Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type III .32 ACP Nickel – 1917 Production
This 1917-dated Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type III features its factory nickel finish, a less common option that gives the classic John M. Browning design added collector interest. Built for discreet carry, the compact .32 ACP pistol offers an 8-round capacity, an internal hammer, and dual safeties in a streamlined steel frame that set the template for many later pocket pistols.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair – Shows extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair – Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The original nickel plating is flaking across the pistol. Rust is present on the left grip panel, and both rust and finish chipping are visible on the slide.
What’s Included
- One 8-round steel magazine with eight witness holes (correct Colt 1903 pattern)
Colt introduced the Type III variant in 1910, updating the Model 1903 with a magazine safety while retaining the slim 3.75-inch barrel and integral barrel bushing. Serial number 246095 falls well within the Type III production range, confirming its 1917 manufacture.
The factory nickel finish is notably scarcer than standard bluing on Model 1903 pistols, making surviving examples desirable to collectors despite wear. The nickel plating covers both the steel frame and slide, which carry the original Colt markings and rear slide serrations.
Operationally, the pistol uses John Browning’s simple blowback system paired with a concealed internal hammer, a grip safety, manual thumb safety, and heel-style magazine release. These features delivered reliable pocket carry before modern semi-autos became commonplace.
Original black checkered hard-rubber grips display the Colt logo and remain intact, complementing the pistol’s period-correct fixed blade front sight and drift-dovetailed U-notch rear sight. Even with finish loss, the mechanical components retain Browning’s hallmark fit and compact ergonomics.