Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer chambered in .38 ACP (automatic colt pistol) caliber. Manufactured in 1912, this pistol remains in outstanding condition. Featuring a 4-1/2" barrel, blue finish, spur hammer, 7 round magazine and checkered hard black rubber grips.

A short-recoil, semi-automatic pistol, designed by the American arms designer John Browning. This was the first automatic pocket pistol that Colt produced.  It was a compact version of the Colt Model 1902 Sporting Model pistol derived from the original Colt M1900. The Colt M1902 Sporting Model and 1903 Pocket Hammer model have significant differences to the military-inspired Colt 1902 Military Model (which is also currently listed for sale on this site) although they fire the same cartridge. This design is in no way related to the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless or the FN Model 1903 pistol.

At a glance, this pistol is visually more similar to the later Colt 1911 than to the Colt 1902 Sporting Model from which it evolved. However, a cursory inspection will show many differences to the Model 1911: the lack of any safety whatsoever as well as the lack of a slide lock or slide release, the magazine release is at the bottom of the grip rather than a button on the side, and a wedge is used to retain the slide. The locking system uses two barrel links vs. the single link of the later M1911. The two links (one near the muzzle, the other under the chamber) unlock the barrel in a motion identical to that of a parallel ruler - sometimes referred to as a "tilting barrel". The drawback to this design was the need for a cross-wedge in the slide near the muzzle for assembly and dis-assembly.  In 1908 (approximate serial number 22,000) the original round hammer was replaced with a spur hammer.  While the pistol was originally a minor success, the introduction of the perfected .45 ACP M1911 made the 1903 Pocket Hammer obsolete.

A single original magazine marked  "COLT 38"  is included.