Colt 1903 with British markings (WWI)

[bruno38]

Dated 1915 – SN 179027 (.32 caliber)
Shipped to London Armoury Company in 1915
Estimated 5,000 similar specimens were provided to UK during WW1

MARKINGS

Wartime British proof marks (Crown/V) on barrel and back slide and frame

Crown/GP would stand for Government Proof (after inspection). This Crown over GP goes back to 1670 when the charter of the « Gunmakers Company » was confirmed and the power of the organization was extended

Also “JJ” letters above trigger guard
Info provided by colleague named « kwill » on coltforum :
« The JJ mark was stamped by James Joseph Goodbody between 1911 and 1913 when he ran Colt's London Agency. The Agency closed in 1913 but the London Armoury Co became Colt's exclusive distributor in England and they continue to use the same stamp until about 1930. Colt's that went to England through other channels (military or private imports) will not have the JJ stamp. »

For your appreciation, fellow collectors



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[wbaad]

Beautiful piece. I wish the 1903 wasn't prohibited...

 

[tekarra]

Great post, I like a story with the pics.

 

[Phat Eagle]

Cool history Bruno! Another nice piece!

 

[plinker 777]

Why no broad arrow?

 

[Brandon3]

It was not uncommon for British Officers to purchase their sidearms from private companies.

 

[NAA]

Another very cool Colt pocket pistol.

Just checked a couple I have with Brit proofs [Crown over "V"] in same position at rear left of slide & frame.

Colt Model 1903 .32ACP, sn 377,### [mfg 1921]

Colt Model 1908 .380ACP, sn 50,### [mfg 1921]

Here's the Brit proofs on the .380 ACP:

Of course, no "JJ" stamps on either of mine.

Interestingly, Colt made the M1903 pocket hammerless .32 ACP from 1903 to 1945 serial number range from 1 to 572,215 and the M1908 pocket hammerless .380 ACP from 1908 to 1945 in serial number range 1 to 138,009. So 4 times as many Colt pocket hammerless models in .32 than .380.

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NAA.

 

[varifleman]

Very nice British proofed 1903; thanks for sharing.

 

[One Lung Wonder]

Hey...can our own squaddies do that? Buy their own guns, that is? If I were a CO my thought would be that the best gun for you is the one that you can hit with...and yannow, if one of mine shot a Talibanger with a .44 Magnum I would smile and buy him a beer and another box of ammo for his public service. What are Canadians shooting now? I hope they've stepped up from those old HiPowers they were on...