Colt Model M Collector's Information Dutch Contract

Dutch Contract Model M .32 ACP serial number 545266 - Processed on Colt factory order number 9467 and shipped on January 20, 1941 in a 100 gun shipment to the Royal Netherland Indies Ordnance, New York, NY. This pistol was originally shipped with a blue finish but has been painted black and has British proof marks.

During the 1940s, the Dutch government ordered 8,371 of these pistols in 80 shipments for use in the Netherlands East Indies, presumably by police or military officers. Approximately 64 shipments totaling 6,800 pistols were sent to the Royal Netherlands Indies Ordnance Commission or to the Netherlands Purchasing Commission, both in New York City for use in Asia. Another 1,571 Model M .32 caliber pistols in 16 shipments were sent to the Nederlandse Handel Maatschappij and the Ingeneren (or Ingenegeren) Vriejburg or other commercial importers in Java as well as top the New Netherlands Company in New York City. About half of the pistols from 537000 to 552000 were sent to Java.

Dutch Contract Model M .32 ACP serial number 545266 - right side.

Dutch Contract Model M .32 ACP serial number 545266 - British proof marks on right side of frame.

Dutch Contract Model M .32 ACP serial number 545266 - British proof marks on top of slide and barrel (through ejection port).

Dutch Contract Model M .32 ACP serial number 545266 - pictured with original Dutch contract holster.

Political prisoner in Batavia, Java, jailed under Dutch colonial rule, awaits his release by the Japanese. (From the Time-Life Books "The Rising Sun")

Japanese officer in the photo is wearing a Dutch East Indies holster and Colt.

Dutch Contract Model M .32 ACP serial number 545266 - pictured in original Dutch contract holster with cleaning rod.

Dutch Contract Model M .32 ACP Holster - front

Dutch Contract Model M .32 ACP Holster - back

From the Carvel Webb Collection

Dutch Contract Model M .32 ACP serial number 545xxx (1941 manufacture) - mint condition with original box, pamphlet, two full blued spare mags, and box is numbered to the gun. Accompanying the pistol is a holster of typical Dutch pattern with brass loop type buckle, matching magazine pouch, an "invasion type" plastic waterproof carrier, and a Army service type handbook (illustrated), written in Dutch for the 1903 Colt .32, dated 1941.

Dutch Contract Model M .32 ACP serial number 545xxx (1941 manufacture)

Dutch holster with magazine pouch and two spare full blued magazines. (magazine is missing strap)

Typical Dutch pattern holster with brass loop type buckle, matching magazine pouch, an "invasion type" plastic waterproof carrier.

Photo of the cover of the accompanying 1941 dated Dutch handbook. The title (loosely translated) reads "Instructions for Colt Pistol .32 , and associated shooting exercises"

Color illustration of the Colt Model 1903 .32 ACP in the handbook with the parts described in Dutch.

This Dutch instruction manual for the Colt .32 is a numbered copy.

Section 1 (1e Afdeling)
1. Description of the pistol , ammunition and accessories.
2. Operation
3. Disassembly
4. Cleaning and maintenance
5. Handling and misfires

Section 2 (Shooting instruction)
6. Material needed
7. Range Safety
8. Preparation of the weapon
9. Shooting exercises
10. Scoring
Model letter A ; Results report
Model letter B : Shooting register .

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Colt Model M Dutch Contract