Information on Colt .25 Auto

[Powderman]

A friend of mine has asked for information on this pistol.

This is a Colt, .25 Auto pistol. On its slide is the inscription, "Colt's Pt. F.A. Mfg Co., Hartford CT. U.S.A."

There are four patent dates: Aug. 25, 1896; Apr 20, 1897; Dec. 22, 1903; Jan. 25, 1910. The serial number is 162XXX, and it also has the inscription, "Colt Automatic Calibre .25"

It has been described as being in like new condition; it is also nickel-plated, and shows little or no wear.

Any information would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[1 old 0311]

I had one of these Colt Vest Poskets. Neet little gun. Mine was VERY reliable, for a mouse gun. Probably worth $400-600 depending on condition, and grips.

Kevin

 

[jacobtowne]

It's a Colt M1908 Hammerless Vest Pocket pistol designed by John Browning. The pistol was made in 1917. About 410,000 were made between 1908 and 1941.
The magazine disconnect safety was introduced in 1916.
The early ones had moulded hard rubber grips. At some point, they changed to checkered wood.
JT

 

[BEARMAN]

A good source of ANY COLT INFO is ( www.coltautos.com/default.asp )

 

[MoeMerrill]

Colt Automatic Calibre 25

Hi everyone, I have one of these with the serial #31XXXX.

Where can I find more information on the gun?

Where can I get some ammunition?

One writer was right, looks good for a mouse, maybe a squriel. But it would have to be a short distance.

Thanks,

Moe

 

[rcmodel]

Did you not read the post right above yours?

Coltautos.dot com has all the info you ask use to look up for you.

rcmodel

 

[Old Fuff]

You have a Colt model 1908 Vest Pocket Pistol. Ammunition should be available at any medium to large sporting goods or gun shops (including Wal-Mart and Big-Five).

Information on when it was made is available from www.proofhouse.com

If you carry the piece it is adviseable to do so with the chamber unloaded. Also if you want to eject a loaded cartridge from the chamber; first remove the magazine and then slowly and carefully pull back the slide and drop the round down the magazine well.

Why all of this? Because the firing pin also acts as an ejector, and if you pull the slide back quickly you may fire the half-chambered cartridge.

Dry firing may also break the long nose on the firing pin, so again be careful.

 

[Ron James]

I'm really amused by all the post saying the little .25's are only good for a mouse. A shot to the head or heart will drop a man like a rock. Get carless with it and see. :banghead:

 

[MoeMerrill]

Colt 25 questions

Thanks for the very useful information. I will be careful and leave the mouse's to the mouse traps! And, I will read up and down the posts. Guess I just went the wrong direction.

Great Website.

Moe

 

[Ron James]

The Colt .25's are wonderful little guns. Before the days of the small modern 32's I carried one. During the brief two years of wearing County Tan I had one in a ankle holster as a back-up every hour I was in duty. However because they are striker fire, and I don't trust small striker striker fired guns, I never carried it with a round in the chamber.

 

[Jim K]

The Colt is one of only two .25 autos I would trust as a defense weapon for reliability. The other is the Czech DUO.

Jim

 

[6_gunner]

I love the similar Browning Baby. They're fine little guns. My Browning (actually a Bauer clone) is dead reliable and surprisingly accurate for such a tiny piece. I can at least keep all shots on paper at 25 yards.

Of course, the .25 is no barn-burner, but it will stop an attacker if you do your part.

 

[rcmodel]

My Browning (actually a Bauer clone)

Not true.
Actually the other way around.

The Baby Browning was first made & sold by Fabrique Nationalle (FN) in 1931, and production continued until 1983.

It was imported into the U.S. by Browning beginning in 1954, until the 1968 Gun Control Act outlawed it for importation. It was discontinued from the Browning line in 1969 after all the U.S on-hand guns were sold.

Bauer copied the discontinued Baby Browning, and produced it from 1972 to 1984, when they went out of business.

PS: Oops! I guess I misread your post and you meant you have a Bauer, not that Browning copied it! Sorry!

rcmodel

 

[Jim K]

The 1930's Baby Browning is often confused with the 1905 Browning .25 auto, an entirely different pistol. The 1905 pistol is almost identical with the later Colt 1908 .25, although the early ones had no manual safety.

The Baby was introduced as a smaller, lighter (and cheaper to make) alternative to the 1905 model, although they were made together for some time.

Jim

 

[TehK1w1]

My first pistol was a Colt Vest Pocket made in 1928(312XXX). I found it to be surprisingly accurate and reliable. I ended up trading it for a rifle, though.

 

[feb80]

Colt 25 auto magazine

Could someone supply a source for purchasing a Colt 25 auto magazine? Also while reviewing the serial # on the www.coltautos.com link I could not locate the manf. date for the gun I am seeking the magazine for. The first two letters were DDXXXXX. Any ideas?

Thanks. First time on your site.

 

[Old Fuff]

Feb80:

Check the serial number again and see if it might be 0Dxxxx (zero Dxxxx) rather then DDxxxx.