British-proofed WWI Colt Model 1903 .38 ACP Pocket Model Pistol

[vainn80]

Here are photos of Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer Automatic pistol No. 36253. It was 1 of 100 shipped to the London Armoury Company on April 13, 1915. Shown are the London commercial proofs on barrel and frame and the "J.J" marking on frame above trigger. According to Joe Poyer's Model 1911 book, the initials "JJ" are often found on the left front trigger guard of early, privately purchased commercial and some military W-prefixed pistols sold through Colt's London Agency and later, the London Armoury Company. The JJ may be the initials of James Joseph Goodbody, the then managing director of Colt's London Agency, or the initials of an inspector at Enfield Lock. This pistol was probably a British Officer's private purchase pistol and looks like it saw action in WWI (judging by its well-used condition). I've shot the pistol on several occasions and it performed flawlessly.

 

[vainn80]

Details of London proof and view marks on barrel and frame.

 

[Dframe]

Beautiful old historic pistol. Congratulations.

 

[1KPerDay]

Very cool!

 

[Lucky Derby]

Another sweet old Colt. Very nice.

 

[bannockburn]

I enjoy reading all of the historical references with these guns.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Wowee...Sweet!!

Thanks for sharing the pictures!!

VooDoo

 

[Jim K]

That "JJ" marking is puzzling. It certainly would not involve anyone at Enfield Lock since as a commercial pistol it would not have been inspected at a British Army facility. The only sure thing is that it was at one time in England and was proved there.

While ordinarily I am not a big fan of repro parts, I think if I had that gun I would make an exception and put a set of repro grips on it; those home made wood one are just plain crude.

Jim

 

[vainn80]

That "JJ" marking is puzzling. It certainly would not involve anyone at Enfield Lock since as a commercial pistol it would not have been inspected at a British Army facility. The only sure thing is that it was at one time in England and was proved there.

While ordinarily I am not a big fan of repro parts, I think if I had that gun I would make an exception and put a set of repro grips on it; those home made wood one are just plain crude.

Jim

Good idea re the repro grips; maybe the wood one were WWI replacements? Any recomemndations on who makes good quality repro grips since many of them are of cheap quality? Also, I may have to watch Gunbroker etc to see if any original grips turn up. The "JJ" mark is indeed an enigma and I haven't seen any recent information about its significance.

 

[timgd]

colt grips

Try Vintage Gun Grips on goggle they list grips for your model. I .put a set on my 1903 and they only took a little bit of fitting

 

[vainn80]

Thanks for the tip, Vintage Grips does have some nice plastic and wood grips; I think I prefer the wood grips.