Finish on Colt 1903 32 auto

royc38

December 13, 2014 18:38

Picked up a 32 automatic Colt Hammerless. Nice shape but parkerized. 1915-16 date of manufacture. Any chance that this finish is original? I know they parked them later on but 1915-16?

0

• 

  11b6r

  December 14, 2014 03:16

  US Patent for Parkerizing was about start of WW 2

  0
• 

  nmyers

  December 14, 2014 05:34

  The only parkerized ones were US PROPERTY marked, purchased during WW2.
  
  An early commercial 1903 would have a high polish blue finish with fire blue small parts.
  
  
  
  Neal

  0
• 

  competentone

  December 14, 2014 06:37

  It would be best if you could post some pictures, particularly ones that show the markings and pistol's edges. Get a good shot of the Rampant Colt on the slide.
  
  It wouldn't be what we know as modern "parkerized," but Colt did do a matte finish on other pistols during that time and there is a chance someone did a special order of such a finish for a 1903. If such was the case, you'd probably need a factory letter to verify that. Seeing pictures will likely tell whether or not there is a chance it's a factory finish, and whether or not it might justify the cost of a letter.

  0
• 

  rufe-snow

  December 14, 2014 08:24

  In 1918 Colt changed the finnish on the 1911's they made for the U.S. Army. Collectors have named these revise finished .45's, as the "Black Army's". Personally I would describe it as being a matt black finish, rather than Parkerizing. Photo below.
  
  Never was aware that Colt ever applied this finish to the guns they made for commercial sale. All the original Colts from that era. That I have run across, over the years. Have been either high polish blue, or nickel plated.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  0
• 

  v35

  December 16, 2014 19:50

  When I was in, Army issue 1903, 32ACP was parkerized & issued to General Officers.

  0
• 

  competentone

  December 17, 2014 04:40

  quote:Originally posted by v35
  When I was in, Army issue 1903, 32ACP was parkerized & issued to General Officers.
  
  
  Yes, those would be U.S. PROPERTY marked and would have been produced during WWII. The OP's pistol was produced around 1915 and generally wouldn't have a matte finish. Since his pistol was produced around the time of WWI -- and there are known examples of government/military acquired 1903s during that time period -- it would make sense to look at this one carefully; if it appears to not have been refinished (usually easy to tell if one knows what to look for) a Colt Letter would be recommended to see if it was originally shipped to a government/military destination (which would add a very nice collector's premium to the gun).

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.