Colt 38 Auto

[piggman1]

Could you please tell me what I have here. It is a Colt 38 auto, serial #18311, 7 1/2" length. It is marked "Browning's Patent" "Colt's Patent Arms Mfg. Co. Apr. 20, 1897 Sept 9 1902" on one side of the slide. On the other side of the slide it reads "Automatic Colt Calibre 38 Rimless Smokeless"

It looks better than the pictures took. Is this a Model 02, or 03? What value range would be your guess?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[Jeep]

Looks to be a Model 1903 Pocket (.38ACP) Model.

Measure the actual barrel, it should be between 3 3/4 or 4 1/2

1902 had a six inch barrel.

Looks to be in good shape, hows the barrel look ?

Could go for anywhere between 500-1000 or more depending on the hammer and original box.

Never fire 38 supers, that gun only fires 38ACP

 

[piggman1]

The barrel is 4 1/2" and is in excellent shape. No pitting and strong rifling inside barrel. It came with a box of 38 APC.

 

[Jeep]

Blue book says add 30% for early round hammer and that looks like you have it

Looks to be in great shape

 

[piggman1]

Thanks, a buddy gave it to me.

 

[allen_idaho]

I'd say your Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer is optimistically at 60% which would place the value at around $750. But I am no expert at judging handgun quality. So, according to the blue book, you should value this particular firearm as follows:

100% - $5,000
98% - $4,000
95% - $2,750
90% - $2,000
80% - $1,250
70% - $900
60% - $750

A good example of a high quality version at around 96%-98% can be seen right here:
http://www.cabelas.com/gun-inventory---gonzales---colt---1252237-colt1903p-gon.shtml

 

[minetres]

A very nice pistol I would love to have it but could only afford $400.00. What ever you do do not clean it with anything more than Gun cleaner and oil, and please do not use steel wool.

Regards
Minetres