Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Type III .25 ACP, Blued, 2 in Barrel, 1919 Manufacture
Compact, American-made, and manufactured in 1919, this Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Type III is a classic micro .25 ACP with features that define the later production configuration. It carries Colt's internal Model N designation, retains the Type III magazine safety, and shows period-correct markings and proof. Its ultra-small size, 2-inch barrel, and light weight make it a quintessential early 20th-century pocket pistol.
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 Fouling: Mild Fouling - Light buildup of fouling or dirt.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: There are widespread scratches and blemishes across the metal surfaces. Areas of pitting and rust are present. The rifling remains defined but shows blemishing.
What’s Included
- Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Type III pistol
- (1) 6-round steel single-stack magazine with witness holes
This Type III configuration incorporates the magazine disconnect safety and reflects Colt's internal Model N designation. It is chambered in .25 ACP and built on a blowback, striker-fired, single-action system with a 6+1 capacity. Its micro profile makes it easy to appreciate as a period pocket pistol.
Design details include the Browning rotating-barrel-lug takedown system, with the barrel lugs visible through the ejection port. The slide features rear cocking serrations and a longitudinal sighting groove. Fixed iron sights consist of a tiny front blade and a square rear notch suited to the pistol's size.
Markings are correct to the model: the right side of the slide is marked "COLT AUTOMATIC CALIBRE 25," while the left bears the Colt address and patent dates. A Rampant Colt logo appears behind the rear serrations, and the left trigger-guard bow carries Colt's "VP" Verified Proof. The trigger shows a mottled case-colored finish.
The pistol has a blued carbon-steel slide and frame paired with two-piece black hard-rubber checkered grips bearing the COLT banner and rampant colt motif. Dimensions are approximately a 2-inch barrel, 4.5-inch overall length, and about 13 ounces unloaded. It was manufactured in the United States in 1919.