Colt Auto 25 Vest Pocket ???
I have a Colt 1903 Vest Pocket Hammerless 25 auto with nickel finish, it is in pretty good shape for being manufactured in 1910. The grips are mis matched and I a trying to make them right. The problem I am having is that I do not know what the correct configuration of the grips is, either round top or squared off. Does anyone here know which is the right grip config...Thanks
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There are quite a few on the auction side, looks like the early ones are round top, there is a pair of round top grips on auction now. Mine (ca. 1923) are square top. Assume someone else has more definitive info. 0 -
I have seen both square and round on the 1903's, early models also. Just wondering if anyone knew for sure before I go ahead and purchase the letter of authenticity from Colt. Thanks 0 -
There are both authentic types. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by gregw
I have seen both square and round on the 1903's, early models also. Just wondering if anyone knew for sure before I go ahead and purchase the letter of authenticity from Colt. Thanks
I would post quality photos of your Model 1908 .25, before springing big bucks for a Colt letter. Unfortunately there are way more aftermarket nickel plated pistols floating around then authentic factory ones. It's possible that one of our folks would be able to verify if the plating is aftermarket from your photos.
EDIT #1, On the blued Model 1908 25's, the trigger, grip and manual safety's were color case hardened. I'm not sure if this also was the case on the ones that came from Colt factory nickel plated. You might do further research in this matter to verify if yours is factory original?0 -
As R-S points out, you have a Model of 1908 .25, not a Model of 1903. (Colt used similar model designations for several different models of guns, apparently just to confuse people later!) The Vest Pocket .25 model was known internally at Colt as a Model N.
An early Model N should have round top stocks. A factory letter will not describe the stocks in detail, and probably will not mention them at all. It is common for a factory letter to report: "Type of stocks: Not Listed." That usually means the gun left the factory with the standard stocks in use at the time. If a particular gun left with something different than standard stocks, such as pearl or ivory, the letter will mention it.0 -
yeah sorry, 1908...here is a link to the auction and pictures 0 -
the case color issue came up on another forum for the same reason.
the opinions were 50/50 on how they left the factory.
one collector had one nickel with case color and one all nickel. he believes both are factory original guns.
a factory letter wouldn't help unless it was a special ordered finish. it will just list nickel or blue (or gold plated!)
same with the stocks. the black stocks were available standard. checkered walnut was a 12 dollar option! it was cheaper to get ivory stocks ($10) at the time because less fabrication time! but the stocks aren't usually specified in colt letters for that era.
the gun in question is priced high imho. ask for pics of the frame w/o the stocks. the holster adds 25 bucks to the value.
just for value idea about these, here's one that came with box and walnut stocks. it's 95%++ with a 9/10 bore. $500.
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is there any sure fire way to tell if this gun has been re-finished with the nickle finish? I really do not want to wait 3 months tot receive the letter of authenticity from Colt, so I was hoping some of teh local experts on the forum may be able to tell 0 -
With detail up close 6" of the lettering on the slide we may not be able to tell if original finish but if it is like 99% of aftermarket nickle we will be able to tell if it was refinished. 0
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