Colt Model M Collector's Information Factory Engraved Variations

Model M .32 Serial Number 00 - Blued finish, master engraved and shipped February 6, 1908 to Col. C.F. Robinson, president of Colt. This pistol featured a Wolf's head on the left side of the frame and various presidential portraits on the top of the slide, behind the front sight and on the right side of the frame. This pistol is featured in the most recent edition of The Book of Colt Engraving, by R.L. Wilson.

Model M .380 Factory Engraved and Inscribed

An early factory engraved and factory inscribed Colt Model M caliber .380 blued finish with Type II mother-of-pearl grips. Note the presence of factory monogram below. Factory letter confirms all features of this one gun shipment on March 19, 1912 to J.R. Beno.

Factory inscribed "JRB" monogram on rear of frame. This monogram was done by the Cuno Helfricht shop.

Private Collection

Factory engraved Model M .32 serial number 89769 Type II (with separate barrel bushing) - Shipped on Jan 1910 with blued finish and mother of pearl grips. Gun also has original box with "ENGRAVED" end label.

Factory engraved Model M .32 serial number 89769 - right side

Factory engraved Model M .32 serial number 89769 - rear of frame and backstrap.

Box with "ENGRAVED" and "PEARL BLUE" labels for Model M .32 serial number 89769.

Inside of Box for Model M .32 serial number 89769 with original hang tag.

Factory "A" engraved Model M in .32 caliber - pistol was shipped blued, engraved with hard rubber grips. An unusual example as it contains all early Type III features even though it's in the Type II serial number range (approx. 72,000 - 105,000). Pistols in this range typically have a 3 3/4" barrel with separate barrel bushing. Factory letter indicates factory engraving, shipped Norvell Shapleigh Hardware Co., St. Louis, MO, August 1, 1912, 50 guns in shipment.

Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 serial number 491314 – Factory engraved "A", and factory inscribed "K-C" on left side of frame, blued finish, mother of pearl grips. Produced February 23, 1927 (see letter below).

Factory "A" engraved Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless (Model M) serial number 492737 in .32 caliber. A well traveled pistol which was a factory display piece shipped on "Loan Account" to the following destinations: Wolf & Klar, Fort Worth, TX (6/5/28), Colt's Patent Fire Arms Mfg. Co., Camp Perry, Camp Perry, OH (8/14/29), Shreve & Barber, San Francisco, CA (3/11/31), Murta-Appleton & Co., Philadelphia, PA (2/19/32), Edwards & Walker Co., Portland, ME (3/10/32), Von Lengerke & Antoine, Chicago, IL (4/14/32) and sold to Von Lengerke & Antoine (8/15/34)

Colt 1903 .32 serial number 503095 – Factory engraved "A", blued finish, mother of pearl grips. Shipped January 18, 1930. Pistol was purchased by Mr. Mauro Falletta 1930. Mauro Falletta emigrated from Sicily in the 1890s and began work in the Cadillac plant as an upholstery installer. He became interested in real estate and eventually owned a real estate company and an oil company that delivered home heating oil. During WWII, he served as the local air raid marshal. He Lived to the age of 101.

The factory letter confirms the engraving as Class "A" but does not list the mother of pearl grips. This pistol was shipped on January 18, 1930 to Mr. Fred Moore at the Colt Armory in a single gun shipment and was processed on Colt Factory Order Number 17702/1. The letter includes a remark: "It is of interest to note that Mr. Fred Moore was employed by the Colt Company serving as Assistant Superintendent and later Superintendent of Machine Gun production."

Model M .380 Factory Engraved and Silver Plated

Factory "A" engraved, silver plated Model M in .380 caliber with mother-of-pearl grips. Only a handful of .380s were silver plated, even fewer were silver plated and engraved.

Colt 1908 Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP serial number 117029 - A very unique example with an unusual engraving pattern. This work is believed to have been done by Colt factory master engraver Wilbur Glahn. This pistol has factory "B" coverage, but what makes it most unusual is the engraving treatment on seven areas of the finish. on these areas, the engraving is cut through the blue in order to give the gun the appearance of having engraved silver or platinum inlays. This pistol is also fitted with beautiful period plain ivory grips.

The factory letter describes this pistol as having a blue finish, stocks not listed, factory engraved and shipped to Abercrombie & Fitch, May 11, 1933, New York, NY as a single gun shipment on Colt factory order number 12226. (see letter below):

Factory "A" engraved Model M in .380 caliber with mother-of-pearl grips shipped to Abercrombie & Fitch, NY, NY in 1941. This was the second to the last factory engraved Model M .380 produced by Colt's.

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Colt Model M Factory Engraving Model 1903 .32 & 1908 .380 Examples

Colt Model M Factory Engraving
Model 1903 .32 & 1908 .380 Examples