Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type IV .32 ACP, 1938 Pre-War Compact, Blued, 3.75 in Barrel
Late pre-war production from 1938, this Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type IV in .32 ACP combines the compact, top-ejecting design with the full Type IV safety suite. It features a blued carbon-steel build, checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions, and comes with its period Colt factory box (lid marked with the matching serial) and original instruction sheet.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: This firearm is in great shape overall. Minor, superficial scratches and blemishes are present.
What’s Included
- Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type IV pistol (.32 ACP)
- 1x 8-round single-column steel magazine with witness holes
- Colt factory purple cardboard box with ".32 Rimless Smokeless" end label; interior lid marked with matching serial number
- Colt Automatic Pistol — Pocket Model (.32 and .380) folded instruction sheet
The Type IV configuration delivers manual thumb safety, grip safety, and a magazine disconnect, paired with an internal hammer and single-action blowback operation. This example retains the model’s hallmark top-ejecting slide and the clean profile of no external slide stop.
Controls and features include rear vertical slide serrations, an integral slide muzzle (no separate bushing), and fixed sights: a half-moon front blade with a U-notch rear in a dovetail. The chambering is .32 ACP with an 8+1 capacity, supported by a single-column magazine.
Construction is blued carbon steel for both frame and slide, complemented by checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions. Notable markings include the Colt "VP" proof in a triangle on the left front of the trigger guard and an additional small inspection mark on the guard bow.
Dimensions align with the classic pocket model profile: a 3.75-inch barrel, approximately 6.75 inches in overall length, and about 24 ounces in weight. Made in the United States, this late pre-war 1938 example reflects the mature form of the 1903 design.
The included factory purple box with ".32 Rimless Smokeless" label and matching number under the lid, along with the original folded instruction sheet, provide period-correct accompaniment that underscores its 1938 production and origin.