Need some help with a "U.S. Property" marked Colt Model 1903 .32

[kikokat]

A friend has asked my help in getting some information about a Colt Model 1903 .32 he is thinking of selling. I know next to nothing about this model, but told him I'd try and help. I would appreciate any assistance you folks can provide.

At this point, all I know about this pistol is that it is estimated to be a 90-95% gun, it's parkerized, and is "USProperty" marked. I am trying to get pics and a serial number, and will be happy to share when I do. I'm told this fellows father, a Army Air Corp pilot, carried this pistol during WWII, and has purchase papers from when he bought it from the government at war's end.

Any help you can provide concerning this gun, what to look for, ballpark price range etc. would help. I've been told the "USProperty" marked 1903's are a bit hard to find, but really don't know.

Thanks in advance.

John

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[DonaldofVirginia]

Please call me at 703-887-9906. I collect Colt US Property pistols and have a good knowledge of the Colt 1903's.

[Bruce McAskill]

I thought the 1903 Colts in .32 acp and in .380 acp were issued to officers of the rank of General only and they became their personal property when they retired.

[emmagee1917]

And others . My 1903 was issued to a medical officer in Washington D.C. He did not know why they thought he needed one , and he told them even if he had it , he would never use it. They required it , so he took it and put it in an unused compartment in his breifcase , and promptly forgot about it. After the war , the briefcase went into the closet , and it was years later they dragged it out and found the pistol. He figured if they hadn't asked about it after all those years , he wasn't about to open that can of worms.
OSS , treasury dept , couriers , etc. also recieved a few.
Chris

[Johnny Peppers]

I thought the 1903 Colts in .32 acp and in .380 acp were issued to officers of the rank of General only and they became their personal property when they retired.

The Colt Pocket Hammerless in .32 and .380 ACP that were issued to General Officers could either be turned in when the General retired, or purchased by the General. While it was presented to the officer upon obtaining the rank of Brigadier General, it was not the property of General.

[kikokat]

I haven't forgotten about getting back to the forum with more info & pics. I'm computer illiterate and having trouble fiurin out the new Windows 7, an new email program, and most importantly, how to download my photo mgmt program tht Windows 7 doesn't seem to support. I did get ome great pics once I can use them. It's beautfiul pistol , est 93 - 95%, lloks hardly used, with papers showing sale to the seller's father on 12/15/45. I'll get the pics posted as soon as I can................serial #5718xx.

[emmagee1917]

Wow , only about 300 from end of purchase. Prob'ly shipped Feb '45. Should have VP in triangle (forward triggerguard ) and be stamped " U.S. PROPERTY " ( appx 1-3/32 X 3/32 high ) . Cross cannons on left frame near hammer ( or rarely on left side forward of the triggerguard ) . By this date it should be Parkerized , have steel escutcheons ( vs nickle silver ) in the checkered walnut , colt medallioned stocks . The sights would be a square rear with a serrated ramp front ( vs rounded rear and half-moon front ) . The slide should have 19 ( vs 17 ) serrations.
HTH , Chris

[kikokat]

Chris, thanks for the info...it does help. From what I can see at this point, it is parkerized, has the square rear and serrated front ramp sights, and 19 serrations on the slide. I'll have to take another look at the slide for the ordnance cannons. Hard to tell from the phoros I have, but will get better closeups as soon as I can get another look at it. Don't know if the medallions are steel or nickle.
Again, will post pics as soon as I get some good ones, and my computer photo mgmt program straightened out.
John

[Cosine26]

It has been my experience that after WWII affairs were very chaotic and records were poorly maintained. When a firear went missing, every effort was made to find it. If unfound it was the subject ot a "Rport of Survey" and wrtitten off the books. I know that this happened with an M-14 when I was on an army post.

[emmagee1917]

The cannon markings on these tend to be very faint and incomplete due to the detail of the mark and the small size of it on these guns.
Chris