Your internet resource for information on pre-war Colt Automatics.

Search for Colt Pistol Photos & Information

November 2005

Colt Model M Cancelled "Concession Francaise Changhai"
 Serial Number 134492, No. 612
 French Shanghai Contract

 

Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP "Concession Francaise Changhai" No. 612 - This pistol was manufactured for the French Shanghai Police order.  It is equipped with a factory lanyard loop, thumb safety block (screw hole present) and special Shanghai Municipal Police magazine (with holes in front and rear).  Because of WWII, this order was cancelled and the right side frame inscription was obliterated by over stamping it with an upside down Colt .25 caliber slide roll die (from the top line slide inscription on the left side of the .25 slide). 

Colt factory letter indicates this pistol was one of 100 guns that were shipped to the British Purchasing Commission, 15 Broad Street, New York, NY on January 14, 1942.  Once they were redirected to the BPC, these pistols were intended for use by the SOE.  Accompanying this pistol is a Dutch holster for an FN 1922.  The lack of the BNP British Proof marks indicates that this gun was issued and was not later sold as surplus after the war.  The person from whom this pistol was acquired indicated that it had been taken off of a German soldier during WWII.

Colt factory roll mark on right side of the frame reads "CONCESSION FRANCAISE CHANGHAI" over "No 612".  Roll mark was obliterated at Colt when the contract was cancelled.

Colt 1908 Pocket Hammerless .380 serial number 134492 - left side view with special two-tone .380 magazine.  Magazine has viewing holes in the front and the back for the inspection of the bullets and the primers.

This pistol bears a "W" in a Crown stamped on the upper left flat of the trigger guard.

Close-up of factory lanyard loop.

 

Original holster that accompanied pistol appears to be an FN type, perhaps for a Model 1922.

Crown over "dV" Markings on front of holster under flap.  Also present is number 265490 that presumably matches the serial number on an FN pistol.

Open holster.

Gun of the Month Main Page

2008
December November October September August July
June May April March February January
2007
December November October September August July
June May April March February January
2006
December November October September August July
June May April March February January
2005
December November October September August July
June May April March February January
2004
December November October September August July
June May April March February January
2003
December November October September August July
June May April March February January
2002
December November October September August July
June May April March February January
2001
December November October September August July
June May April March February January
2000
December November October September August July
June May April March February January
1999
December November October September August July
June May April March February January
1998
December          
Coltautos.com Recommended Reading from Amazon.com

The Government Models -- Click here to order!


The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols - Click Here to Order!
 Collector's Guide to Colt .45 Service Pistols -- Click Here to Order! Colt .45 Government Models - Click Here to Order!  

 


Click here for more Colt firearms titles!


Home | Wants | Gun of the Month | Historical Info | Instruction Sheets 
Online Bookstore | Books & Publications | Classifieds
User's Guide | Colt Care | FAQ | Links

Questions / Comments? Contact Us!
 

Coltautos.com © 1996 - 2008 by Sam Lisker. 
All rights reserved.

The Coltautos.com logos and all proprietary artwork and photos are the property of the Coltautos.com and may not be reproduced or distributed without expressed written permission.