December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
Per the Colt factory letter, this pistol shipped as a .32 ACP with blue finish and unlisted stocks to Supplee-Biddle Hardware Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 25th, 1915, in a shipment of 6. This pistol is photographed on pg. 68 of "The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols II" by Brunner as Fig. 82; Brunner notes that the engraving appears to be Helfricht's work, and further notes that while the factory shipping book does not make mention of the engraving, there is a notation in the Production Book that alludes to it. This gun was also featured in the spread of 7 1903s on the cover of the TGCA Fall 2017 magazine, and mentioned in the article "Three Old Single Action Collectors Admrie Another Model: Collecting the Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistol Models 1903-1908". The work certainly does appear to be the work of Helfricht, or in his style, with rolling open acanthus scroll on a punch dot background with geometrics used on dust cover, a shell motif at dust cover, and a floral device on slide chin; all well cut and tastefully executed. Grip scales are a richly fired mother of pearl, with deeply inset Colt medallions. Other features are as standard, with halfmoon front sight, U notch round top rear sight, typical patent and address rollmarks, VP and subinspect proofs, etc. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining the vast majority of the Colt factory bluing, with some silvering to high edges and muzzle consistent with age and use. Engraving is crisp and well cut. Some chocolate patina visible mixed with silvering areas and on bright areas such as hood. Grips are very good with some light cracks at escutcheon on right scale. Mechanically fine, bore with softened rifling and frosting throughout. PROVENANCE: Richard "Dick" Burdick collection.
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Information