|
|
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Hammerless .25 ACP -
Special Grip Types
|
Model N Deluxe Checkered Walnut Grips - These grips are
easily recognized by the uncheckered scalloped border around
the edge of the grip. They were a factory special order
feature available from 1913 to 1923. In 1916, the deluxe
checkered walnut grips listed for an additional $2.75 --
$.25 more than plain mother-of-pearl and $.50 more than
plain ivory!
Model N .25 200415 with factory Deluxe Checkered Walnut
Grips. Factory letter indicates Colt Model N 200415 was
shipped April 22, 1919 to W.S. Brown, Pittsburgh, PA, 10
guns in shipment. The grips are not mentioned in the
letter.
Model N .25 with factory Smooth Walnut Grips.
Model N .25 with Type I factory non-medallion ivory grips.
Factory letter confirms blue finish and ivory grips.
Shipped April 8, 1909 in a three gun shipment to Frederick
Peters with locations in Hamburg, Germany, New York, NY and
Turkey.
Model N Type II Factory Recessed Medallion Ivory Grips. In
1916, these grips were available for an additional $2.25.
Model N Type III Factory
Recessed Medallion Ivory Grips.
Model N Type IV Factory Flush Medallion Ivory Grips -
Pistol was a single gun shipment, shipped blue with
factory ivory grips, sold to Joanna Mercantile Company and
shipped to Sullivan Hardware Company, Anderson, South
Carolina on November 24, 1931. Work was processed on
Colt factory order number 23625/1.
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket serial number 362191 -
with original factory flush medallion ivory grips.
Colt Model N serial number 362191 - right side.
Model N 362191 on original VL&A pocket holster.
VL&A pocket holster for the Colt .25
Photo of pistol in holster.
Markings on rear of VL&A holster.
 Colt
Model N serial number 385727 with Factory Carved Steer head
Ivory Grips. Carved ivory is the rarest grip type
for both the Model N and M. In 1930, the additional cost
for carved ivory grips for the Model N was $15.00 option,
making it the most expensive grip option. This was a
very deluxe option considering that the gun alone sold
for $16.50, bringing the total price of this pistol
to $31.50 before tax. Of the few known carved
mother-of-pearl and ivory grip variations for the pocket
hammerless models, this is the only known pair with the
carved image on the left grip. These grips are in
absolutely pristine condition with no cracks or chips
whatsoever. All others in either mother pf pearl or ivory
have either a steer head or eagle on the right grip. The
right grip on this gun is a standard medallion ivory grip.
This pistol letters blue finish with ivory grips and was
a one gun shipment to "Tex Baker" on June 25, 1930. Tex
Baker was a radio personality from the 1930s who performed
on WWRL radio in New York City. The act was called Tex
Baker and his Texas Ramblers.
The six standard types of mother-of pearl grips: (top row
left to right) round top no medallion, round top recessed
medallions, square top recessed medallions, (bottom row left
to right) square top forward facing flush medallions, square
top left facing flush medallions (early), square top left
facing flush medallions (late).
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket sn 364025 Factory Nickel
Plated with Carved Eagle Mother of Pearl grips - Pistol
is cased in Colt factory presentation case and features a
relief carved eagle on the right grip. The left grip is a
standard mother of pearl grip with medallion. Factory
carved mother of pearl grips are an extremely scarce
variation to locate for this particular model of Colt
pistol. In 1921, these grips were a $9.00 option on a gun
that retailed for $16.50, bringing the total cost to $25.50.
Colt Model N with Factory Carved Eagle grip - Factory
carved mother of pearl grips are an uncommon variation to
locate for this particular model of Colt pistol.
 Colt
Model N 1908 .25 ACP Pocket Hammerless Pistol sn 397049
- This is one of 15 guns shipped from Colt's fitted with
factory carved mother of pearl grips. Of the 15 pistols,
only eight were in the steer head pattern and seven were in
the eagle pattern. The pistol is in original condition and
the grips are perfect with no cracks or chips. Factory
carved mother of pearl grips are an uncommon variation to
locate for this particular model of Colt pistol. Another
example of these grips fitted with ruby eyes can be seen
below. Factory letter confirms these features and indicates
that the gun was a single gun shipment sold to Harkins Drug
Store, Refugio, TX and shipped to Corpus Christi Hardware
Company, Corpus Christi, Texas on November 7, 1934.
The box is slightly deeper than the boxes for standard
production guns to accommodate for the extra thickness of
the grips. The box is the original factory box numbered to the gun.
Model N Factory Carved Steer head mother-of-pearl grips with
ruby eyes. There were only 8 guns shipped from the factory
with these grips. The grip on the opposite side has a
medallion.
Model N serial number 390201 with non-factory aftermarket
carved steer head mother-of-pearl grips. Companies like
Stoegers offered a variety of non-factory deluxe grips made
of mother-of-pearl, stag and ivory. |
|
|
