Colt 1903 in US Military Service (and for the OSS)

[@xray86delta]

When I was in the army, in the late 70s, our artillery group Commander, a brigadier general, as I recall, was wearing a 1903 in a black leather belt and holster, complete with oval "US" silver belt buckle, at a promotion ceremony for a "new" sergeant major. Only time I ever saw anything like that. I thought it was pretty cool. 😉

[@cbroz7492]

I saw something similar ca 1973..50 years ago...one of the 1st AD ADCs came unto our TOC wearing one

[@robertcompton5232]

My grandfather was issued this gun in 1969, and I have the holster, belt and mag belt that you describe.

[@noturfather1106]

​@@robertcompton5232what rank was your grandfather?

[@robertcompton5232]

@@noturfather1106 He retired as a Major General in 1973. He was issued his 1903 in 1969 when he made Brigadier.

[@d.mangham5204]

I was in 59th Ordnance Brigade (Pirmasens) in the 80's and our CG (a BG) had the GO's leather belt and holster with Colt 1903...or 1908. Sadly, I don't recall whether it was a .32 or a .380! His Aide-de-Camp had a .38 Colt Detective Special for concealed carry; that was a small nod to anti-terrorism security, since the 59th maintained US custody of all US-supplied NATO "special ammunition" north of the Alps.

[@AJStrebeck]

My grandfather brought home two US PROPERTY stamped pistols after the war. A 1911 and a 1903. The 1903 is the early model with the much smaller, rounded sights. How he got them we have no idea, he was an enlisted aircraft mechanic in the navy stationed in Hawaii the whole war. We are told he also did a fair amount of smuggling of alcohol on post however so the pistols may have been payment. Either way, they're prized family possessions.

[@doubleadave6207]

I inherited a 1903 colt from my great aunt its production date puts it in 1923 and when I got it it was still in the original box with all the wonderful paperwork this firearm is my pride and joy

[@RIPBillCooper]

Lucky

[@stephencolley334]

Wow! doubleadverb6207, congratulations on having a super pistol, with a fantastic provenance! Treasure it!

[@anonymouse...]

Lucky

[@oni_goroshi]

Ive owned several of these over the years, and carried them for years too. My best friend loved my carry .32 1903 so much that I refinished it for her in zinc phosphate, put some tritium sights on it, and pink imitation pearl grips and gave it to her for a christmas present one year. I picked one up a few years ago made in 1918 for $125 at a gun show that was in pretty bad shape. The finish was a combination of nickel plating, chrome plating, white steel and rust. I removed all the plating, removed the pitting and refinished it with manganese phosphate and put some black pearl grips on it. I still carry it regularly. I have another one that belonged to my great grandfather mounted in a shadow box on the wall along with his straight razor, brass knuckes and sap. He carried all those items on him back in the 1920s and was a bit of a rowdy man.

[@weswolever7477]

The two best guns are birthday guns and Christmas guns

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

Do you have a long lost relative named Leroy? 😊

[@alankordzikowski7670]

General Eisenhower’s Colt Pocket pistol is on display at the West Point Museum in NY. Cool little gun!

[@scottgoodson1847]

Was helping a buddy clean out his deceased grandfather's study 10+ years ago and found a boxed pair of these. Believe they were both .32 caliber. When it came time to divy up his granddad's arsenal, my buddy let these little guys slide to his younger brothers. Elegant little shooters the 1903's!

[@darth_crumbo]

“Oh, Mr. Marston, one more thing. This is for you.”

[@yeetyateyote5570]

✍️🔥🔥🔥 peak moment

[@shooter86-uw8ce]

Been playing that recently on my switch Couldn't wait to get that and mauser

[@ponraul1221]

That pistol seemed more like the scaled up Model 1908 .380ACP

[@MrLoewe23]

One of my favorite pistols. I love the timeless design of this gun. These guns were made from 1903 until 1945 and still look modern, the size is pretty convenient , too.

[@tachometer74]

It's a beautiful gun...beautiful in its simplicity & proportions.

[@dwaneanderson8039]

And it was basically the first gun like this. It's the OG modern pistol.

[@pithicus52]

For what it is worth, my guess as to why 32 was purchased by the OSS rather than 380 was because 32 ACP was popular in Europe at the time. Think Walther PP, Mauser HSc, etc. used as police pistols. Also, 32 ACP was an alternate standard of the Wehrmacht, and many WW I period guns in 32, French Rubies, Mauser 1914s, etc., were floating around. That means easier ammo resupply for the resistance.

[@hank1284]

The Colt 1903 is a work of art . The way the slide and frame come together on back of the pistol and looks like it is just one piece of steel . Beautiful .

[@cliffjackson6816]

Thanks so much for this information. I inherited a pristine blued version in .32 acp from my wife's uncle, God bless him, and I still get it out just to admire it and remember him. It has always performed flawlessly, and I love the feeling of being connected to the genius and history of John Browning.

[@AlexP-hl4wn]

A great example of why I love this channel - if you’d asked me 8 minutes and 38 seconds ago if I was interested in the Colt 1903, I’d probably said something ignorant like “the baby 1911, nah”, but now I’ve got an appreciation for a lovely handgun and will read more about it!

[@DK-gy7ll]

"The greatest anti-aircraft implement ever devised" -General George S Patton Okay probably not true, but I'll never forget that scene in the movie.

[@factsoftheconfederacy7151]

Would be cool if Colt made an updated version with a similar magazine stack style to a SIG 365.

[@ecbst6]

What, just double-stack? Beretta. Got one right here.

[@factsoftheconfederacy7151]

The magazine in a SIG 365 is more like a stack and a half. Not fully double stacked

[@watariovids1645]

That would be pretty sweet. Higher cap and in one of the more modern carry cartridges. I have a 1907 savage and the 32acp leaves something to be desired.

[@ecbst6]

@@factsoftheconfederacy7151 Yeah, that would be sweet indeed.

[@z0phi3l]

Colt doesn't care about the civilian market, we will never see a modernized version of this

[@masahige2344]

Most aren't aware that the Colt 1903 was overall the most common sidearm of Imperial Japanese Army officers from about the mid-1920s onwards, beating out any indigenous design in popularity. As with all officers' gear, pistols were purchased on private funds (plus an initial equipment stipend).Tojo bought his from the Tokyo Gun Company in 1926 and attempted to shoot himself through the heart with it on 11 September 1945. "I wanted to die by the sword," he said, "but the pistol had to do." Personally, I wouldn't have tried it with a .32 in the chest (or, you know, at all!)

[@KAYA2COOKS010]

Right, they nursed him back to health and then they hung him. lol

[@masahige2344]

The vicissitudes of justice!

[@charlesdada6434]

My uncle carried one during his time as a B25 pilot in China. He said they required him to be armed in town, and rather than carry a heavy 1911, he bought a clone of this pistol in .32

[@gooondie]

I saw an absolutely mint 1903 pocket hammerless in my local gunshop for $800 a few years ago. Not buying it then and there will always haunt me

[@weswolever7477]

We all have horror stories like that

[@janwacawik7432]

Of all the early semi-autos, M1903 Pocket Hamerless and FN Mle 1903 are most definetly the sleekest, the most aesthetically pleasing examples.

[@colhunt76]

I love my 1923 Model M in .380. The finish is just as Ian says, positively beautiful and a fingerpint magnet! I imagine a lot of officers ended up paying the fee at the end of the war and kept their issued Model Ms. Fun fact, in the 1930s and 1940s, Hollywood preferred putting the Model M in the hands of its leading men over the 1911, as the Model M's smaller size made the actors look larger, and the public was more familiar with the 1911. You see the reverse effect in The Maltese Falcon, as Wilmer, played by Elisha Cook, Jr., wielded dual 1911s as Kasper Gutman's hired gun. The overall effect was to make Wilmer look smaller with the 1911s appearing very large in his hands compared to what audiences were used to seeing!

[@marioacevedo5077]

Great video. I have a civilian model that's 106 years old. Still in very good shape and is a fantastic shooter. I call it my gangster gun since it was popular with gangsters like Al Capone, John Dillinger, Bonnie Parker.

[@awger90210]

I have two Ms, one a 1911 in .32 and a 1923 in .380, both blued non-gov. There are several other subtle differences between them, mostly in the frame... the later pistols were slightly wider (mag well thinner?) such that you can convert a later .380 to .32 but it's difficult to convert an early .32 to .380. Both are very fine pistols and see the range (and a pocket) regularly.

[@MrLoobu]

What are the differences in recoil, accuracy, and weight fully loaded?

[@johnpublic6582]

@@MrLoobu Bogey couldn't feel the difference in wieght loaded or empty so probably can't tell the difference between .380 and .32 either.

[@Clipazine]

I got a really great deal on a Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless in .32 ACP because it's cosmetic condition is so poor and the grips were mismatched, I think it was around $250 a couple years ago. Still works great though, definitely one of the best finds I've ever purchased.

[@DeereX748]

Ian, I own a Model M that is serial numbered between the two you show. It is identical to the blued version you have (same sights and grooving on the slide, also marked 'US Property' in the older stamp font) and the SN is less than 725 higher than the SN of yours. It has no foreign proof marks. All I know about mine is that it was given to me by my stepfather almost 25 years ago, and the pistol had been his older brother's issued sidearm during WWII. I don't know what my stepdad's brother did during the war. My stepdad was also a WWII veteran. Mine has a very slight amount of wear on the bluing at the muzzle end of the slide but is otherwise as nice an example as yours. For what it's worth, although they are both called the Model M, the ,380 version is a 1908 and the .32 is a 1903 Pocket Hammerless. The .380 holds one less round and the only difference between the two is the barrel and magazine. Thanks for this closer look at a marvelous pistol.

[@MrGameSecrets]

Ive got one from 1907! Low 10k serial. Still shoots and handles amazing, absolutely great pistol

[@stevewalsh1935]

Finally, Ian drives up the prices on something I already own!

[@MrJerrycampbell]

Sweet pistols! I would prefer the 1908 personally. I read somewhere in the way back when that the .32 was used by SOE and probably OSS because not only was it a very popular caliber in Europe but it was the largest caliber that might be mistaken for a car back firing or fireworks drawing, in theory, less attention when fired. If any .32's were suppressed, the diameter of the 'can' would mean a slightly smaller package too. Thanks for another great vid, Ian. You are definitely my favorite youtube channel!

[@1248dl]

A friend of mine told me that he was detailed to go around and about China with a jeep and cases of these pistols trying to find missing service men and other missions. They were very popular with the Chinese, warlord or not.

[@ManDuderGuy]

What was he doing? Me no understand what you typed there.

[@stephencolley334]

​​​@@ManDuderGuy I agree with you, whatever 1248dl was trying to say did not come across clearly!

[@ManDuderGuy]

@@stephencolley334 I know! Why would they be....ok it just hit me actually. They used them to bribe for info and release prisoners etc.

[@johnpublic6582]

@@stephencolley334 I believe he is saying he handed out 1903s as bribes to get info on 'things'. Too bad Mao confiscated and destroyed them all.

[@timontide6404]

@@ManDuderGuy Sounds like the pistols were meant as payment in exchange for information.

[@ADRay1999]

I have a 1940 production colt 1903 in .32 acp Nice little gun

[@herknorth8691]

There's a shooting/training montage in the first episode of Band of Brothers (when the GIs are still stationed in the UK) where you can see one of these being fired by a GI. It's only for a moment so you don't have a lot of time to notice it though.

[@levimaliwauki8]

One of the greatest pistols of all time.

[@ditzydoo4378]

The Model 1903/1908 General Officer models were issued/registered to the General officer for life. They were the norm until the General Officers model of 1911 in 1975 was issued. The early 1903 and 1908's were for Dress uniform carry. This being the reason for their issue to the Flag officers (Generals/Admirals). But nope, these beauties were never forgotten. Just most of us cannot afford the exorbitant prices the originals command now a days. Oh, how I wish I had a 1903, or 1908 in .32-ACP.

[@stuartburton1167]

The British used quite a lot of the 1903s not just lend lease in 1944 but they were in wide use in 1939. The army Field service handbook 9a of 1939 lists all the ammunition in use from .303 to 9.2 inch howitzer shells each with its own unique code. It lists three pistol calibre rounds .32acp code ColtSmallS. .38 Webley code Web38SmallS and.455 Webley code Web45SmallS. It doesn't say how many .32 Colts were in use in 1939 but it must have been a good number to be an official service round.

[@bhartley868]

The British Special Operations Executive, SOE, issues the Colt 1903 to agents, also .25 1908... Ian Fleming, Bond creator, was issued and carried a 1908, .25. He kept it after the war and yearly took it with him to Jamaica. Laws have changed now !

[@kreatuslucina]

I recently got a 1903 hammerless and I love it. Put in for an Archive Request to see who it was built for. Hope it has a great history.

[@tombogan03884]

5:10 In respect to the change from rounded to flat rear sight. Othias mentioned that the human eye is more capable of aligning flat surfaces than rounded ones.

[@kevinoliver3083]

The square sights may help with shooting, but the rounded sights are less likely snag during concealed carry. Swings and roundabouts.

[@Goatcha_M]

Parkerized is also more stealthy, good for a covert weapon. Less metallic gleam.

[@bushwackcreek]

I kick myself to this day for not buying a cased, named, general officer's 380, moderately priced at a gun shop nearly 40 years ago. I do have a 1903 in great shape, but without the provenance.

[@nelhead4807]

These and the best pocket are some amazing pistols. If you have get a chance to buy one don’t pass it up. And the craftsmanship is so good for the times.

[@fm451]

Great video, Ian! Goes well with your videos on the SMP .380 version of the Colt Model M. Also, used by Humphrey Bogart in several of his films, especially "Key Largo".

[@johnpublic6582]

I expect that is why my Dad got one to carry. You'll never get it out of my hands. You're not big enough!

[@downandout992]

My father always used a 1903 for concealed carry back in the day when he was a captain in the California Highway Patrol.

[@ESPLTD322]

Browning was so ahead of his time it don’t even make sense. These designs were patented 127 years ago, and they still look modern. The average non gun person wouldn’t believe these were designed in 1897. Every modern handgun still has this relative look overall

[@Blimpie1000]

I have one of these with the (perfect) hard rubber grips which I like. The pistol is not corroded but the finish is very thin; clean firearm. The magazine shown does not seem to be original; the originals are sort of "two toned" and I am told are very valuable. Thanks for the video.

[@jimh6763]

Was wondering when you'd get around to the 1903!!! I have a first model with the bushing and the longer barrel my grandfather left to me. It was made in 1904. Love it!

[@Trashcansam123]

5:50 kudos to you Ian for using the proper term here “typeface” and NOT font. Graphic designers and typographers everywhere are proud.

[@nichevo1]

Go on, spread. What's the difference?

[@knockharder3554]

Such a beautiful pistol.

[@messiahmozgus]

I'm a happy owner of one of these in .32acp and manufactured in 1914 if I recall. Such a smooth little package. Way ahead of its time. Found an extra new mag online recently for $40. Pricey but at least it exists

[@fabiohenrique9613]

Me ajuda compra um desse sou do Brasil

[@messiahmozgus]

@@fabiohenrique9613 Nice try fedboi

[@kuskusdikus6014]

My grandfather had an fn 1903 in .380, when he died we couldnt find it, turns out a family member who wouldnt be named sold it for 300$.

[@loboptlu]

Have one from a WWI shipment of 1200 to belgium in 1916. ( have colt history letter) .

[@authorontranth5990]

Lets go! Always thought the 1903s looked neat, happy to see a vid with a unique variant

[@davidcaylor4286]

Thanks for the video! You can see the heritage shared between the Colt 1903 and the FN 1903. another JMB design.

[@Ashcrash82]

The Colt Model M is the pistol that started my interest and collection of vintage / military firearms. I was able to get the 32 and 380 versions, they are not nearly as nice as these two of course, but they are still favorites of mine. I will say, to me, the 380 has more recoil and is much snappier to shoot, more so than I would have thought. It seems obvious to me that the overall gun was designed around the 32 acp, and as such that version is amazingly pleasant to shoot.

[@jameslaumeyer4214]

I mean .32 was always more popular in Europe, it may have been a logistical thing of if you are going to be in Europe and can get ammo of the local population then that’s a strategic advantage

[@Adam-v9q1h]

Very cool,I've always liked and wanted one of these. I found one at a pawn shop once but it was during COVID,so they wanted a ridiculous price for it. I haven't seen one since,one day I'll have the extra money and run into one.

[@CameronMcCreary]

They are an excellent pistol except for one thing if one drops a loaded model M pistol (with a cartridge in the chamber), the pistol will fire; either on the muzzle or the rear. At one time or another in my past I owned this pistol, Mauser HSc, and Walther's PP pistols and the last two models are the safest pistols to carry with a round in the chamber because of the rotating firing pins.

[@longtsun8286]

That explains why the Army insisted the M1911 have a grip safety!

[@ottokiehl5413]

@@longtsun8286 That might be correct, but it seems like apples and oranges, as the 1911 is hammer fired and the Model M is striker fired.

[@kt00628]

​@ottokiehl5413 it's not striker fired. The hammer is concealed under the rear most portion of the slide

[@RiderOftheNorth1968]

Walther PP is amongst the best pistols ever made.

[@andrewallason4530]

@@ottokiehl5413umh. NO. Both are hammer fired. Just that the 1903 has a concealed hammer. It is NOT striker fired.

[@corvetteguy1980]

I know a few Colonels that were in Vietnam and carried them

[@joshklaver47]

"I think you'd agree that Greektown belongs to us now..."

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

Love the blued one but like the phosphated one too

[@rustyfreeman9528]

My grandfather carried one as his backup gun. His was a .380.

[@zawzawaung6789]

Hammerless, rounded rear site. Means these were engineered for quick draw from the concealed carry.

[@marvindebot3264]

My god that first one is gorgeous! Too nice tho, too nice to shoot.

[@jamesk370]

M1903 -- most elegant semi-auto pistol ever made.

[@parrotraiser6541]

One of those pistols played a ital role in Tom Cruise's 1981 movie, "Taps". It went off well before Act 3.

[@anon_y_mousse]

Interesting little guns. I wonder why they'd change the typeface on the "U.S. Property" stamp. I would think it'd be cheaper to always use the same one since they were clearly invested in making them cheaper with later iterations.

[@blshouse]

Most likely they changed it out as the old one was wearing out. No real need to go to the effort to match the old typeface if they had something else on hand that worked just as well.

[@petesheppard1709]

@@blshouse Good point. That may be why the property stamp on the older example is a bit uneven; shallower at the bottom.

[@grumpyoldwizard]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I get the gun lust bug. There are some great deals around me and I am severly tempted, lol.

[@jasonbrack2042]

One marking on the gun that wasn't explained and to me atleast very rare, is the arrow with the line under the tip of the barrel. I guess it is a check so it won't exceed the limit of travel?

[@Austin-gj7zj]

It's not rare, it's on every single one of these guns (including civilian models). It's for disassembly. You push the slide in to the mark and when they meet up you can rotate the barrel out and the slide comes out the front. This is all from memory so may not be exact but you get the idea. I mostly remember the marks on mine not being very accurate to the actual slide position needed lol.

[@moemaster1966]

I have one in .32 and a colt pocket in .25 great little guns

[@robertbraden461]

Would be fantastic to see this pistol reissued today. In 380; the pistol weight would allow for mild recoil; modern 380 rounds would make for a great carry and personal defense gun.

[@WiIdbiII]

I believe these were the pistols shown in little casket cases in the Vincent Price movie , "House on the haunted Hill.

[@shooter86-uw8ce]

Now I'm going to have to go watch my bluray copy of that movie to see LOL

[@kenibnanak5554]

Colt licensed versions made by US Armaments are still available. General Patton carried his. Allegedly fired it at a German plane tot. General MaccArthur issued himself several. One of his is on display at the NRA Museunm and another is in the Pentagon's MacArthur display. The design is popular in India where still made cheaper knock off versions are sold to licensed civilians. The Shanghai Municipal Police issued .380 Colt 1908s and very quickly found a reliability issue that did not exist on the .32 versions. Only a few users did a lot of firing with their .380 versions, so the problem wasn't noticed by many. However the Shanghai Municipal Police shot theirs a lot and quickly began noticing stove pipe jams. Their fix was to add a small spring to the slide to keep the barrel in position during extraction. Colt ignored their fix until the Army reported similar issues with the General Officers .380s. Colt came up with a different fix which is incorporated into the true Model Ms. The ejector and the magazine were altered to prevent the stove pipe jams. The M stamp added to the serial number was Colt's way of marking and identifying the modified versions of the pistol. Because the frame is very similar between the 1903 and the 1908 models (the specifications for the magazine well differ, but slightly overlap) everyone began referring to both pistols as Model Ms, but only those with the M prefix are true model Ms. Also early govt purchased 1903s bear a govt. ordnance department punch mark above the Verified Proof triangle. Later purchasess had an ordnance wheel behind the safety. Some also have an ordnance bomb stamp on the right side.

[@thescatologistcopromancer3936]

I loooove parkerized finishes

[@douglaskerr6813]

Question, Ian maybe the the 32 cal was popular in Europe during the war .Wasn't the the Walter pp popular with those bad dudes in the general staff and other offices? I once read that the higher the rank the smaller the pistol

[@RiderOftheNorth1968]

During that time .32 acp was PREFERED over .380 acp by those "bad dudes". Back them, before US ammo makers neutered .32 acp it was a better choice than .380 acp. More ammo and the same stopping power with fmjs.

[@hastyhawkeye]

Bad dudes really? Just call them what they are nazis

[@johnnnoise]

they were bad dudes. no need for quotes.@@RiderOftheNorth1968

[@RiderOftheNorth1968]

@@johnnnoise Well i was quoting douglaskerr6813. I would rather use other wordings that´s not a good fit for KZbin.... 😇

[@alanmcnew5376]

I used to own a type 1 made in 1905. I sold it when My son was born to get him diapers and a crib. Miss that little .32 more then any pistol I ever owned.

[@humanentity2214]

Gorgeous design

[@rkirschner7175]

I love my Beretta tomcat and model 81 32acp. Can't always carry 1911,security six let alone the N frames. 🤔

[@corvetteguy1980]

Fifth Officer Lowe on the Titanic carried a Colt 1903 in 1912.

[@TK199999]

The guns are not actually hammerless ie striker fired, but hidden hammer. Meaning the slide covers the hammer and its action happens within the slide. Allowing the rear of weapon to be smooth and prevent snags when the weapon was within clothing.

[@waynee1357]

No shiiittt

[@RIPBillCooper]

Ian has multiple videos on this gun and the 1908 version and mentions that.

[@stephencolley334]

REALLY ?? Fully discussed in one of Ian's previous videos. Still available for anyone seriously interested, but not aware of the design and details.

[@user-bn3cb4be5o]

So you read the wiki?

[@chmandcrm]

Such a beautiful gun

[@valentinezehel54]

I have 1 From 1919 carried it all day today 😊

[@DANO-4899]

Cool guns

[@michaelray4033]

The blued one appears to have been at least handled a bit more. The property mark is slightly faded right where you would put your finger of you had the gun out and practicing safe trigger discipline.

[@harlleygurrola8394]

I would just get a 1903 Hammerless: if fnyone's seen FMA, this gun is one there I am still amazed this gun saw Sevice during both world wars

[@natenotabot1234]

In 2013 I saw a parkerized one which had clearly been refinished for $300 and I regret not buying it as a historic plinker.

[@oldesertguy9616]

I still kick myself for not picking up one of these when I had the chance. 1920's production in perfect, like new condition. They just feel right.

[@randomdudewholikesmusic1640]

One of the best Battlefield 1 sidearms. In the form of a different variant, at least.

[@dwayneelizondomountaindewh6073]

so awesome

[@gfhrtshergheghegewgewgew1730]

i always thought the colt 1903 pocket hamerless was a beautiful and slick little pistol

[@ecbst6]

Do a .32-focused video, we've got several, from a new Tomcat, back to a pre-war PPK 🙂

[@tanfosbery1153]

Don't forget they were also used by the Home Guard Auxiliary Units here in the UK during WW2

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

Exquisite guns. I 💗💗

[@diegoferreiro9478]

Non-English native here: the expression 'blanket contract' as explained it seems to be a contract focused on opportunity procurement rather than strictly planified. Has the name something to do with open air or flea markets where the vendors used to display their goods on a blanket on the floor?

[@petesheppard1709]

I thought of it as an 'open purchase order'.

[@diegoferreiro9478]

@@petesheppard1709 I agree, but I find the name funny.

[@petesheppard1709]

@@diegoferreiro9478 Yep. It seemed a bit odd to me, but that may have been the phrase that popped into an accountant's mind when asked about it. AND YES, English can be funny!

[@HunterTN]

Blanket used in this sense means to cover. A blanket purchase order would cover the acquisition of that type of gun from whatever vendor necessary.

[@lizardodavinci]

Ian, it seems these videos have not uploaded to History of Weapons & War yet. Last one on there as of this writing is the "Madsens in the Favelas"-one. Hope you can look into it soon :)

[@matthewspencer972]

I think that this was what Sergeant Harry Palmer _should_ have been issued with in the film: The Ipcress File, but for some reason a .32" Colt revolver was the standard issue in the film. .32" Colt seems right for an Army Intelligence Corps person, just not the revolver as far as I know. Later in the film he is tooled up with a Sterling SMG, which has far-reaching consequences for UK-US relations, shall we say.

[@lentlemenproductions770]

Eh I think those colt revolvers were purchased for agencies and stuff like these were. I don’t know about intelligence agencies, however.

[@Sam-et3bv]

I love the 1903!

[@jimstephans1948]

was a beast for a minute in bf1

[@gregwright392]

Love mine.

[@pb68slab18]

You mentioned the military had no interest in a true pocket pistol, but there were purchases of the 1908 Colt .25 ACP 'Vest Pocket Pistol', and there are pics of them U.S. Property marked. Perhaps another video?

[@chrisabraham8793]

One of the most desirable pocket pistols.

[@nathaniellamar413]

What does the symbol of the horse on the early model represent?

[@ForgottenWeapons]

That's Colt's logo.

[@Lukas-50]

That's such a pretty gun

[@WallyFrank]

a superior pistol (in my view) to the walther ppk in the 32 caliber chambering during the same era.

[@silverjohn6037]

One question that occurred to me watching this video was whether guns that were proof marked after they left the factory (such as when they went to the British) would have the metal finish, be it bluing or parkerization, retouched somehow or would the markings be left as bare metal.

[@stephencolley334]

silverjohn6037 Ian has spoken to this several times. The proof mark (as I understand) is applied prior to the finish. Proofing deals with passing evaluation testing for safety/fitness for use, not appearance.

[@silverjohn6037]

@@stephencolley334 Sorry if the question wasn't clear. I knew that that weapons would be finished after proofing when being produced under a military contract. What I was curious about is when they were purchased on the civilian market or when they transferred from one military to another and the new country proof marked them, as in the case of the Colts being sent to the British.