US Army issue .32?

Zorba · 12-10-2019, 12:23 AM

Trying to help a friend - story is husband's grandfather had a semi-auto pistol chambered in .32 ACP. He was apparently issued this gun by the US Army (apparently an officer's gun) - time could have been anywhere between immediately pre-world war 1, and the middle of the interwar period.

Any guesses as to what it might be? I thought of the Browning/FN 1910 immediately, but not sure if that would have been issued by the US Army. Various flavors of FN/Colts before that are possibilities too.

Pistol is currently unavailable for examination hence the question.

Olle · 12-10-2019, 12:43 AM

Colt 1903 was used by the US military. Not sure when they started issuing them though.

RichSr · 12-10-2019, 12:47 AM

The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless was procured by the
US Army for issue to General Officers. I believe a shipment of 300+ pistols was also received by the OSS (forerunner of the CIA)

k98mike · 12-10-2019, 05:17 PM

I have a few Colt 1903's. One of which sports a parkerized finish and has US PROPERTY on the frame under ejection port.

k98mike · 12-10-2019, 05:19 PM

[QUOTE=k98mike;329159]I have a few Colt 1903's. One of which sports a parkerized finish and has US PROPERTY on the the frame under ejection port.

Eugen · 12-11-2019, 03:05 PM

Zorba, you got some good responses above. The Colt 1903 hammerless in 32 acp was popular with officers and civilians alike. The military ones I understand were parked and stamped as such. The civilians ones had a gorgeous bluing and firing bluing of parts. I have a 1912 and a 1921 commercial 1903s. They are fun at the range and my favorite 32 acp to shoot. They have a grip safety (but not like the Ortgies

)

snipershot1944 · 12-11-2019, 10:36 PM

Early military issue 1903 pistols were blued. Mid to late war pistols were parked.

Olle · 12-12-2019, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snipershot1944

Early military issue 1903 pistols were blued. Mid to late war pistols were parked.

Any idea of when the military started using them?

guns3545 · 12-12-2019, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olle

Any idea of when the military started using them?

Olle,

According to Meadows, the first documented shipment of the Model 3, designated Model M by the military, was on September 29, 1917 when 200 pieces were delivered to the US Government Navy Yard, Washington DC.

Nothing further is recorded until late 1941, with shipments extending to 1945. Pistols were blued until 1944 when the finish was changed to Parkerized.

Zorba · 12-12-2019, 12:49 PM

Thanx guys!

12-10-2019, 12:23 AM	#1
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 952 Thanks: 777 Thanked 527 Times in 290 Posts	US Army issue .32? Trying to help a friend - story is husband's grandfather had a semi-auto pistol chambered in .32 ACP. He was apparently issued this gun by the US Army (apparently an officer's gun) - time could have been anywhere between immediately pre-world war 1, and the middle of the interwar period. Any guesses as to what it might be? I thought of the Browning/FN 1910 immediately, but not sure if that would have been issued by the US Army. Various flavors of FN/Colts before that are possibilities too. Pistol is currently unavailable for examination hence the question.

12-10-2019, 12:43 AM	#2
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	Colt 1903 was used by the US military. Not sure when they started issuing them though. __________________ Deer Hollow Enterprises, LLC Gun repair and restoration

12-10-2019, 12:47 AM	#3
RichSr User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 128 Thanks: 153 Thanked 54 Times in 36 Posts	The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless was procured by the US Army for issue to General Officers. I believe a shipment of 300+ pistols was also received by the OSS (forerunner of the CIA) __________________ Rich

12-10-2019, 05:17 PM	#4
k98mike User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 141 Thanks: 280 Thanked 48 Times in 30 Posts	Colts I have a few Colt 1903's. One of which sports a parkerized finish and has US PROPERTY on the frame under ejection port.

12-10-2019, 05:19 PM	#5
k98mike User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 141 Thanks: 280 Thanked 48 Times in 30 Posts	Colt's [QUOTE=k98mike;329159]I have a few Colt 1903's. One of which sports a parkerized finish and has US PROPERTY on the the frame under ejection port.

12-11-2019, 03:05 PM	#6
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 790 Thanks: 394 Thanked 631 Times in 334 Posts	Zorba, you got some good responses above. The Colt 1903 hammerless in 32 acp was popular with officers and civilians alike. The military ones I understand were parked and stamped as such. The civilians ones had a gorgeous bluing and firing bluing of parts. I have a 1912 and a 1921 commercial 1903s. They are fun at the range and my favorite 32 acp to shoot. They have a grip safety (but not like the Ortgies ) __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

12-11-2019, 10:36 PM	#7
snipershot1944 User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Virginia, part of the occupied Confederacy Posts: 299 Thanks: 15 Thanked 33 Times in 24 Posts	Early military issue 1903 pistols were blued. Mid to late war pistols were parked.

12-12-2019, 12:49 PM	#10
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 952 Thanks: 777 Thanked 527 Times in 290 Posts	Thanx guys!