Colt Vest Pocket Model 1908 .25 ACP serial number
141001 - nickel finish (re-nickeled) with Type II hard rubber grips.
This pistol is pictured with the original Colt brochure used to announce
the introduction of the magazine safety disconnector which was invented
in 1916 and patented by Colt engineer George Tansley. At
approximately serial number 280,000, the left side slide inscription was
modified to include the patent date for the Tansley Device as it was
also known. The patent date for the device was July 31, 1917 and
the patent was assigned to Colts.
Colt Vest Pocket Model 1908 .25 ACP serial number 141001 - Colt
Factory letter confirms that the finish of this pistol was originally
blue, and it was one of 25 pistols shipped to Wyeth Hardware & Mfg.
Company, St. Joseph, Missouri, June 5, 1916.
The brochure is occasionally found inside boxed guns from the
1916/1917 period.
According to the brochure as well as other Colt sales literature,
"This new Feature -- SAFETY DISCONNECTOR -- [is] Incorporated in pistols
of this model above No. 141,000". Based on this and other
literature, this is the first Colt 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP with the new
safety device.
While Colt's claim in its' literature is true, it is actually a bit
misleading as Colt actually started installing this safety device prior
to serial number 141001, in the late 139000 serial number range.  Colt's
produced a green brochure (pictured at left) which details the features of
the device and included it with all guns shipped for approximately one year
after the improvement was made.
This Model N pictured above is in its original box with hang
tag, cleaning brush, instruction sheet and Tansley Device brochure. |
