M1903 Colt pistol; Suncorite REME

Mr. Penn at the Imperial War Museum showed one to me and that was the story. During the same trip, I saw another one at Jeremy Tenniswood's shop. I don't find it to be an odd purchase given the Walther PPK .22 rimfire pistols inspected in Germany and issued to police women in Norfthern Ireland abouit 20 years ago. It seems to me a .32 beats a .22 any day.

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

I wonder how that can be substantiated Paul and most respectfully disagree - with a great deal of trepidation I hasten to say! I worked with 'an Intelligence Officer, a Major' several years ago who used to advise us on '.....certain matters' that I have spoken of in roundabout ways on the forum. The first thing he has said many, many times and would have said about this is that once you make an item special or make it a one-off or eliminate serial numbers or no serial number or mark in a certain way - you know the sort of thing - it is absolutely no longer suitable for undercover or covert work. Because, well....., everyone on the other side immediately KNOWS where it's from!

With UK Military proof and ownership marks the pistol is useless for covert or undercover work. It's British Army or at least British Government

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I quite agree with you, for example the US Navy order of Welrod pistols complete with BU numbers makes it kind of ludicrous to suggest the source wouldn't be identified.


It seems that BreakeyP's suggestion of M. 1903 pistols being superior for "concealed carry" while in "plain clothes", has been misinterpreted to be some sort of clandestine service "infiltrators/fifth columnists" with deniable arms.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

The only thing I can add is that a General Officer could demand about any pistol he wanted for carry, higher gets even more. It wouldn't be any stretch at all to believe this was owned for a period of time by one of those...therefore allowing it to be procured, refurbed, marked and remain in inventory by the Govt' UK...

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Canadian General Officers being issued Browning M.1910s (into the 1990s if not currently) and US General Officers being issued Colt M.1903 & M.1908s...

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Originally Posted by breakeyp

Mr. Penn at the Imperial War Museum showed one to me and that was the story. During the same trip, I saw another one at Jeremy Tenniswood's shop. I don't find it to be an odd purchase given the Walther PPK .22 rimfire pistols inspected in Germany and issued to police women in Norfthern Ireland abouit 20 years ago. It seems to me a .32 beats a .22 any day.

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We brought in two of these Walther PPKs in .22 last year, Both were suncorited and came in Plastic Walther boxes. Both boxes had Nato Stock numbers and Donnington stickers. Before that i didn't realise such a thing existed in British Service.

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Originally Posted by Simon P

Walther PPKs in .22

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The most desirable ones too...

I also have a Walther PP in 22lr, finished in Suncroite and marked with a P indicating upgrade to the firing pin (I believe). Reportedly it was from a Colt Contract to UK in the 1970s . It was re-imported to the US. Sweet gun and a great shooter. Thanks to all for the responses to my initial thread. Warm regards- Jim.

Here is my example, finally, did not have pictures of it in the photo bank. It too has the Suncorite over finish and the 1921 proofs. Also like the previous M1903 it has the later wooden grips that must of been replaced during WWII.