Custom Engraved Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Pistol .25 ACP Semi-Auto 1913
SOLD FOR: $1,526
WYO#: 240318RU044
Make: Colt
Model: 1908 Vest Pocket
Serial Number: 101046
Year of Manufacture: 1913 Serial Number Lookup – Colt’s Manufacturing LLC
Caliber: .25 ACP
Action Type: Striker-Fired Semi-Automatic Pistol
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked with “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PAT’D AUG. 25, 1896. APR. 20, 1897. DEC. 22, 1903. JAN. 25, 1910.” and with the rampant colt behind the serrations. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 25”. The left side of the frame is marked with the serial number “101046”. The underside slide flat is also marked with the serial number, “101046”. The left side trigger guard bow is marked “VP Triangle” and “5”. The pistol has extensive scroll engraving. The “Rampant Colt on Globe” is still prominently displayed on left side rear of the slide.
Barrel Length: 2 1/8”
Sights/Optics: This pistol has a small square notch “trough” milled into the slide and a short blade front sight.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece panels made of hard black rubber checkered with the rampant colt insignia. The grips have minimal wear. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about excellent condition as are original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Browned with Bright Heat Blue
Finish Originality: Original finish has been removed.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is still quite viable and visible. There is light-moderate erosion scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: The metal surfaces have been preserved. All Colt stampings remain visible, great care was taken prior to the engraving being cut. There is minimal erosion; this is a slick gun. There are some scattered minor marks, mostly obscured by the engraving. The markings range from clear to shallow, but legible. The screw head is tool-marked with a strong slot. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. This example bears two safety features—the safety latch and the grip safety; the magazine safety disconnect is not present, as it was only introduced in 1916. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This pistol includes one original Colt 6 round magazine. It’s a fine, original, and early “two tone” example that retains a good amount of the original bluing, and is stamped “CAL. 25 / COLT” at bottom.
Our Assessment: The Model 1908 Vest Pocket is a compact, striker-fired, semi-automatic single action pistol. Manufactured by Colt from 1908 to 1948, it was marketed as a small concealable firearm, which could be easily tucked into a gentleman’s vest pocket for unobtrusive carry. Designed by famed firearms designer John Moses Browning, the Model 1908—known as the Model N internally at Colt—was a refinement of Browning’s earlier European version, the FN Model 1906.
This example bears two safety features—the safety latch and the grip safety; the magazine safety disconnect is not present, as it was only introduced in 1916. The pistol has had its surfaces polished and then it was cut with extensive scroll engraving which, combined with its hyper bright blue accents, gives the gun a very distinctive appearance. This example will make a nice addition to a Colt collection and could still make a convenient and classy carry gun today. Good luck bidding.
-K.F.
