Colt 1903 Pocket price check ($500)
- Thread starter Mark_Mark
- Start date
Speedo66
Member
Cool guns, but I guess condition will mandate price.
OP
OP
Mark_Mark
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2021
- Messages
- 17,954
Might go look today, seen prices range from $600 to thousands
wanderinwalker
Member
It's going to be dependent on condition. For $500 I'm anticipating it being a little rough around the edges. The one in my avatar ran me around $600 and that was in 2019 pricing. Mine is a shooter with some definite wear, but overall in good to very good shape.
Keep us posted!
Keep us posted!
Remington1911
Member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2022
- Messages
- 1,511
Several things can have a bearing on price. Parkerized or not is another.
You really need to lay eyes on it, but I agree at $500 I think it is going to show some "wear".
You really need to lay eyes on it, but I agree at $500 I think it is going to show some "wear".
AlexanderA
Member
The ones that are in the thousands are the ones with the "U.S. Property" marking (so-called General Officers' pistols).
The vast majority of the U.S.-issued pistols in .32 caliber are Parkerized. The vast majority of the ones in .380 caliber are blued.
So if you find one in the opposite finish, depending on the caliber, it's quite rare and valuable. Make sure that the markings are genuine, though, and not faked. (And that it's not a refinish.)
Monac
Member
There is no way to tell if $500 is a good price without seeing the gun, and preferably handling it. I am assuming that the NEW on the listing means it is a new listing, because the "new" Colt 32's made a few years ago cost over $1,200 back then. An honest person selling one of those for $500 is either badly misinformed or got a lemon.
Bazoo
Member
Hmm, someone's been scraping the rust or an old drop of paint? You can work them down to $400 I bet if you try.
Monac
Member
That's a type 4, with the magazine safety. The magazine is blued all the way to the top, so my guess is it's a replacement. The finish is worn and a bit scratched up on one side, but it's not refinished and has no obvious signs of abuse. If it functions properly, $500 would be a reasonable price on GunBroker. I have no idea what things go for at shows or in stores any more.
NOTE: This Colt 1903 is a Type 3 (no magazine safety) and not a Type 4 (with magazine safety). Bangswitch points this out in his post #34 of this thread. The magazine is the style made for Type 4 1903's, though.
NOTE: This Colt 1903 is a Type 3 (no magazine safety) and not a Type 4 (with magazine safety). Bangswitch points this out in his post #34 of this thread. The magazine is the style made for Type 4 1903's, though.
Last edited:
silicosys4
Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2012
- Messages
- 3,667
$500 is reasonable, $450 is a good price. I was just going back and forth on another forum about 1903 prices. There were a lot made and a lot survived, not a lot with good finish though, so the difference between a finish challenged gun and a high condition gun is immense and prices for high condition 1903's have been climbing.
A high condition 1903 that was $700-$800 even five years ago is about double that now.
A high condition 1903 that was $700-$800 even five years ago is about double that now.
wanderinwalker
Member
Yep, that looks like $500 worth of 1903 Pocket Hammerless. It's intact, not refinished, the grips look good, no extensive pitting and a replacement magazine. If the bore looks good, it would make a nice shooter.
CapnMac
Member
Yeah that price is pretty right.
I dropped $700 for this one (a gen 3):
I dropped $700 for this one (a gen 3):
Remington1911
Member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2022
- Messages
- 1,511
At that price I don't think you are doing too badly.
jar
Contributing Member
See if they will do a field strip so you can check wear and bore. But looks like a reasonable buy baring stuff like worn out or bulged barrel or cracked frame.
OP
OP
Mark_Mark
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2021
- Messages
- 17,954
jahwarrior
Member
For $500 of jump on it. As long as it functioned the way it's supposed to, I wouldn't care about how it looks. I've been after a 1903 or 1908 for years, with no luck.
OP
OP
Mark_Mark
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2021
- Messages
- 17,954
what do you think about refinishing that old pocket rocket? yay or nay?
would be a very cool casual carry gun
wanderinwalker
Member
I'd leave it as-is and just keep it oiled so nothing rusts.
@Tallball , if you think the Colt has small sights, try a Savage 1907 sometime! The 1903 has target sights in comparison. I've found the best way to enjoy these pistols is to plink steel plates and learn to use the silhouette of the slide to line up on target. Leave the bullseye targets and accuracy expectations somewhere far, far away.
OP
OP
Mark_Mark
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2021
- Messages
- 17,954
I’m thinking of putting $130 down on it! Always wanted one!
$500 is good price assuming that the bore is clean and it is functional. Those scratches are unsightly, but that's why $500.
To reblue, or not to reblue - consider that little gun will never make it to "coveted" status reserved for high condition guns. In my opinion, if it's your gun then refinish it if you wish to. Refinishing it would be sensible maintenance for what is "just an old gun." You won't be "destroying history." Don't Bubba it - no cold blue. Professional restoration only by whatever method Colt used back in the day. It would look so nice.
