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Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP - World War One - Belgian Contract Examples

1903 Colt Model M .32 Belgian Contract serial number 200,452 circa. 1916  - marked with the Diamond "A" proof mark on the left side of the frame behind the serial number. This pistol was part of a World War I contract between Colt and the Belgian government  to supply Belgium with a large number of Colt Model M pistols in .32 caliber.  A notation in the Colt shipping books indicates that these pistols were marked with an "A" in a diamond shaped box.  This pistol was one of 1200 shipped to the Government of Belgium on March 8, 1916.

Colt Model M Tin Shipping Box  

Tin Shipping Box - In 1915, Colt's used a tin two piece shipping box for some overseas (Belgian) and domestic shipments.  The boxes were painted maroon (to resemble the standard cardboard hinged shipping box) and contained the standard labels of the day.  The end label extended under the bottom of the box so that the serial number could be hand written in the standard location.  Between 4/22/15 and 12/20/15, a total of 3,582 caliber .32 pistols were listed as having been shipped in "Tin Boxes."  Most of them were used for shipments to Belgium.

Belgian Contract Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP

Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP serial number 188145 Belgian Contract with reblued finish and unique checkered woods grips with an uncheckered diamond around the grip screw.  Pistol came with an FN Model 1922 holster.  This pistol was one of 1000 shipped to the Government of Belgium on September 29, 1915.

Colt 1903 .32 serial number 188145 left side.

Colt 1903 .32 serial number 188145 left side close-up.  Notice traces of markings to the right of the serial number on the frame and above the "1903" date on the slide.

Colt 1903 .32 serial number 188145 right side.

Another set of checkered wood grips, with uncheckered triangular area around grip screw escutcheons.  These grips came from Belgium and were presumably created for use on the WWI Belgian contract Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP pistols.

Rear view of Belgian made wood grips for the Belgian contract Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP.

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