A scarce example of a World War II U.S. Contract Colt Model 1903 Hammerless pistol with blue finish. The Colt factory letter that accompanies the pistol states that it was shipped from Colt to the Springfield Armory on February 23, 1942. The letter lists the finish as blue. The pistol has the Colt commercial blue finish and has checkered walnut stocks with inlaid nickel silver Colt medallions. The pistol has the early, half-moon, front sight and rounded rear sight. The magazine has a full blue finish. The right side of the frame is roll-stamped with the early, small (31/32" by 5/64") "U.S. PROPERTY" marking. The left side of the trigger guard is stamped with the "WB/rectangle" Ordnance final inspection mark. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 32 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" in two lines. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped: "COLT'S PT. F.A.MFG.CO. HARTFORD CT.U.S.A./PATENTED APR. 20.1897. DEC. 22, 1903" in two lines with the large Rampant Colt trademark roll-stamped behind the grip serrations. The serial number, "557109" is stamped on the left side of the frame and the Colt "VP/Triangle" proofmark is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard bow below the Ordnance inspection mark. The magazine floor plate is roll-stamped: "CAL.32/COLT". The pistol has British export proofmarks stamped on the barrel chamber and the right side of the slide and the frame. The proofmarks indicate that this pistol was an early example of the 7500 Colt Model 1903 Pistols supplied to the British SOE for issue to agents and resistance fighters. U.S. Contract Model 1903 Pistols with the commercial blue finish and U.S. Property and inspection marks are relatively scarce. Most U.S. Model 1903 Pistols had the Parco-Lubrite finish. The pistol is complete with a russet leather, open top General Officer's Holster with gold-plated brass fittings. This holster was the standard pattern issued with U.S. Army General Officer's Model 1903 .32 and Model 1908 .380 pistols during WWII.

Very good. The pistol retains approximately 80% of the original Colt blue finish. The pistol has holster wear on the edges of the slide and frame and scattered handling dents and scratches. There is some light pitting on the left side of the slide. The stocks show moderate handling wear with rounded checkering. The various markings on the slide and frame are sharp. The magazine is in very good condition with about 85% of the blue finish. The bore is bright. The scarce WWII General Officer's Colt Pocket Automatic Holster is in excellent condition