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Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP & Model 1908
Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP - Factory Gold Inlaid Examples
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| The very first factory engraved and gold inlaid Colt
Model M .32 ACP, blued finish with Type I slide
markings, six gold inlays and gold monogrammed grip safety
with the initials "D.H.P.". This gun was shipped to
Browning Brothers in Ogden, Utah in December, 1903.
This is also the first Model M produced with mother-of-pearl
grips. The engraving, inlay and monogrammed grip safety were
masterfully performed by Colt engraver, Cuno Helfricht.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of engraving on this pistol
is that when the work was performed, no pre-defined styles
of engraving existed for the Model M. Just 17 of the Model
Ms (in both .32 and .380 calibers) are noted as having any
type of gold inlay work.
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This is the first Model M with factory gold inlay and
was featured as a past
Gun of the Month.
Additionally, this pistol is also the very first Model M
shipped with mother-of-pearl grips. The pistol has six
areas of gold inlay and is factory inscribed with the gold
inlaid initials "D.H.P." and engraved on the grip
safety. This work was performed by Colt master engraver
Cuno Helfrict, who also did the first gold inlaid Model N
(also featured as a past
Gun of the Month.) The gun was shipped to
Browning Brothers
in Ogden, Utah on December 15, 1903, just a few months into
production.
I've researched the initials and have written an article
about the original owner of the gun which appears in the
Spring 2003 issue of The Rampant Colt. Click the
photo or the link to
read the article. |
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| 1903 Browning Brothers catalog |
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| Right side showing gold inlay work on the frame. |
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"D.H.P." monogrammed and engraved
grip safety in gold. |
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Private Collection |
| The very first factory engraved and gold inlaid Colt
Model M .380 ACP - Serial number 6580, .380 caliber.
Blued finish. Factory Engraved Gold Inlaid Colt Model 1908
.380 Semi-Automatic Pistol The factory letter shows that
this gun was engraved with the initials "WBW" inlaid in gold
on the left side of the gun. It was sold to E.L. Benson and
shipped to Stauffer, Eshleman & Co. of New Orleans, LA.
February 9, 1911. The letter does not mention the grade of
engraving (B) or the grips which are pearl with a raised
carved eagle on the right side. |
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| General
George C. Marshall's Model M .380 Pistol
Serial Number
135631- This spectacular and most important pistol
appeared in a Colt internal newsletter in the 1940s. The
pistol is documented as having a wartime blue finish and
standard checkered walnut grips and as being shipped to
Springfield Armory on November 9, 1944. The shipping
book gives no indication of engraving. The pistol is
factory engraved and gold inlaid, featuring a
facsimile of Gen. Marshall's signature "G.C. Marshall"
on the left side of the slide. Presumably, the left side
roll markings have been relocated to the right side of the
pistol. (For an example of this type of work, see the Model
M .32 presented to 1st LT. A.W. Norrie listed on the page of Inscribed
pistols.) |
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| Perhaps the most elaborately engraved and inlaid
Model M .380 pistol. Serial number 97482 features full
coverage Gough engraving (with distinctive lined background)
and gold inlaid monogram (left side of frame) as well as
extensive gold inlay scroll work on the frame and slide.
The pistol has factory mother-of-pearl with flush medallions
that are gold plated. This pistol sold at the November 9,
1999 Little John's Auction in Anaheim, California. |
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| Top of Model M .380 serial number 97482. |
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| Right side of Model M .380 serial number 97482 |
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