Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type III .32 ACP, Nickel, 3.75 in Barrel, 1923 Compact Semi-Auto
This 1923 Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Type III is a compact .32 ACP finished in nickel with the Type III integral front end and no magazine disconnect. Custom blue Kirinite grip panels with Colt medallions are installed, complementing its fixed sights and concealed-hammer, single-action blowback design.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: The pistol has been refurbished with visible evidence of prior wear, including pitting marks. Scratches and surface blemishes are present on the finish. The rifling shows definition but displays blemishing.
What’s Included
- 1x 8-round single-stack steel magazine with witness holes
- Aftermarket blue synthetic grip panels with Colt medallions (installed)
The Type III configuration features an integral front end without a separate barrel bushing and no magazine disconnect. It retains the model’s internal (concealed) hammer, rear-only vertical slide serrations, and the absence of an external slide stop/release. Sighting consists of a fixed low-profile half-moon front blade and a small rear notch.
Chambered in .32 ACP, it uses a simple blowback, single-action operating system with a manual safety and a grip safety. The barrel measures 3.75 inches, overall length is about 6.75 inches, and the capacity is 8+1. Unloaded weight is approximately 24 oz, keeping it firmly in the compact class.
The steel slide, frame, and receiver wear a nickel finish. Custom Kirinite blue grips with Colt medallions are installed, providing a distinct appearance consistent with the pistol’s compact, classic profile.
Designed by John M. Browning and also known as the Model M, the Model 1903 was produced in large numbers (approximately 572,000 from 1903–1945). This example is dated to 1923 and bears a small "K" stamp on the right side near the muzzle/slide lug.