Colt Model M Collector's Information Central American Provenance

Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP serial number 966061 - OSS / CIA issued military contract pistol outside the known and established serial number range. The highest recorded production number is 572215, with serial numbers 572216 through 572451 being manufactured but never assembled, being scrapped in 1945.

Four serial numbers numbers higher than the highest known number on this model have been observed. 831093, 831242, 966061 and 966071. Two of the pistols that are identified by John Brunner in his book on the Colt Pocket Hammerless Models (831093 and 831242). All four have had their original serial numbers removed along with other government markings and were marked with a serial number that could not be traced to the U.S. Government.

Colt Model M .32 serial number 966061 was issued to Lt. Col. Alexander Sogolow (also spelled Sogolov), a Russian born CIA agent stationed in Germany following WWII. Accompanying the gun is a modified unmarked shoulder holster as well as documentation. This pistol has all the military characteristics of a war time manufactured Model M .32 pistol.

Right side of Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless serial number 966061. Note lack of U.S. PROPERTY mark.

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Sogolow
Born: 9 February 1912	Russia
1947	Munich, Germany
1968	U.S. Government Official Headquarters, U.S. Army element, Joint OPS Group, R.1B 945, The Pentegon

Close up of serial number 966061. Style is different that that of serial numbers applied at Colt.

There is no ordnance mark present behind the thumb safety.

Unmarked shoulder holster that accompanied Model M .32 sn 966061 (front view)

Unmarked shoulder holster that accompanied Model M .32 sn 966061 (rear view)

Alexander Sogolow's Gun Registration Application for Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 966061 dated December 30, 1968.

Alexander Sogolow's Gun Registration Application for Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 966061 dated October 21, 1976, but not approved until January 19, 1978.

Photos courtesy of J. Salopuro

Colt Model M .32 serial number 966071 - This is a very unusual Model M with late Type V features (notice slide serrations and rear sight) that bears a serial number outside of the normal range for this model. Serial number 966071 was used somewhere in Central America area as a German firearms dealer who resold it indicated this was the source of the pistol. Frame is definitely Colt and bears the "VP" verified proof mark on the upper left flat of the trigger guard. Other examples of these pistols in the 800,000 serial number range have been identified as CIA weapons cache guns and were discovered in former Eastern Bloc countries .

Right side of 966071.

Close up of the serial number 966071.

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Colt Model M Serial numbers 966061 & 966071 With OSS / CIA Provenance

Colt Model M Serial numbers 966061 & 966071
With OSS / CIA Provenance