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Colt 1903 Magazine

MOONED
I have a magazine for sale on the auction side and need top clarify something. A person interested in the magazine asked what type of 1903 the magazine would fit. Below is th auction:

http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=327781823

If I am not mistaken, all 1903 magazines are interchangeable with all 1903's. The only exception would (possibly) be the Type I.

If anyone can provide clarification, it would be appreciated.

EDIT #1

Thanks all for the input.
Aaron
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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • MOONED
    Are people for real? I just looked on the auction side and see some old two-tone magazines for sale and folks are asking CRAZY money for them.

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=256053986

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=256062716

    I may have to sell my spare ones......O[^]

    Aaron
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  • rufe-snow
    A hot cyanide dipping bath was used on the magazines, until the late 1930's. This caused the two toned magazines.

    EDIT #1, Serial number 529,000 dates to Jan 1938. Any 1903 hammerless with a lower S.N. would be expected to have a two toned mag. Anything else as far as dating the mag by it's construction or markings, your going to have to check with Judge Colt.
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  • competentone
    quote:Originally posted by MOONED
    I have a magazine for sale on the auction side and need top clarify something. A person interested in the magazine asked what type of 1903 the magazine would fit. Below is th auction:

    http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=327781823

    If I am not mistaken, all 1903 magazines are interchangeable with all 1903's. The only exception would (possibly) be the Type I.

    If anyone can provide clarification, it would be appreciated.

    Aaron


    That magazine will work in all 32 acp 1903s.

    The magazine was modified with a "straight top" (reportedly to help in the later model 1903s with the magazine safeties), but both the straight top and older "curved" top (what you have) will work in all 1903s. I've used a magazine like yours in Type I through Type IV pistols.

    Now what is "correct" from a collectable standpoint is a different matter. There are at least five "categories" collectors put magazines in. It's based upon variations in base-plate stampings, finish, and curved or straight top design. Yours looks to be a "correct" magazine for a mid-production range Type III pistol.

    But again, it will work in any 32 auto Hammerless 1903.

    It won't fit what is sometimes referred to as the Colt Pocket M1903 Hammer -- which is a compact Model 1902:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Model_1903_Pocket_Hammer

    The pistol your magazine fits:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Model_1903_Pocket_Hammerless
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  • competentone
    quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow


    EDIT #1, Serial number 529,000 dates to Jan 1938. Any 1903 hammerless with a lower S.N. would be expected to have a two toned mag. Anything else as far as dating the mag by it's construction or markings, your going to have to check with Judge Colt.


    The early 1903 magazines for Type I and II pistols (with pinned bases) were not two-tone.

    Prior to 1908, the magazines did not have stampings on their base. The start of the production of the 380 auto Model 1903 in 1908 (that's why the 380 auto M1903 is often referred to as the "1908") started the base-plate stampings (to help differentiate the 7-round 380 auto magazines from the 8-round 32 acp ones.)
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