Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type III .32 ACP, 3.75 in Barrel, Blued, 1923 Manufacture
This 1923 Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type III is a compact .32 ACP pistol designed by John M. Browning, featuring the standard 3.75-inch barrel, blued steel construction, and checkered black hard rubber 'COLT' logo grips. It carries correct commercial rollmarks and the signature internal-hammer, safety-oriented layout that defines the Type III variant.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are signs of wear and handling with visible scratches and blemishes. Areas of surface rust and finish loss are present.
What’s Included
- 1 detachable steel single-stack 7-round magazine
Type III production ran from approximately 1910 to 1926, and this example was manufactured in 1923 in the United States. As a Type III, it lacks the magazine safety later added on the Type IV, while retaining the internal hammer, manual thumb safety, and grip safety. Chambered in .32 ACP, it has a 7+1 capacity in a compact format.
The pistol uses a single-action, blowback-operated system with a 3.75-inch barrel. The frame and slide are carbon steel with a blued finish, matching the period-correct commercial presentation. Controls and layout are true to the model’s design intent for discreet carry and straightforward operation.
Slide features include rear vertical cocking serrations, a top ejection port, and an integral front end with no separate barrel bushing. The fixed sights consist of a rounded half-moon front blade and a rear U-notch, consistent with original factory configuration.
Grips are checkered black hard rubber with the 'COLT' logo, complementing the correct commercial rollmarks on the slide. Observed markings include a "K" stamp on the right front of the slide/dustcover near the muzzle and a "22" stamp on the right front of the trigger guard. Designed by John M. Browning, the Model 1903 family saw approximately 570,000 produced across .32 and .380 variants, underscoring its enduring appeal.