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  • Auction Catalog #70
  • Lot #3563
Lot #3562
Lot #3564

Lot 3563: Colt 1903 Pistol 32 ACP

William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) Presentation Inscribed Colt Model 1903 Hammerless 32 Pocket Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 7, 2017

Lot 3563: Colt 1903 Pistol 32 ACP

William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) Presentation Inscribed Colt Model 1903 Hammerless 32 Pocket Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 7, 2017

Estimated Price: $10,000 - $20,000
Price Realized:
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William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) Presentation Inscribed Colt Model 1903 Hammerless 32 Pocket Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter

Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1903
Type: Pistol
Gauge: 32 ACP
Barrel: 4 inch round
Finish: blue
Grip: black hard rubber
Stock:
Item Views: 2969
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 205
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Description:

Manufactured in 1904. The Colt factory letter that accompanies the pistol states it was one of 25 shipped from Colt to M. Hartley & Co., New York, New York, on March 31, 1904. The right side of the frame is engraved "Dr. Robert Jones, from Col. W.F. Cody. 1904." in a single line above the trigger guard (Writer has inspected the inscription and believes it to be absolutely genuine). The pistol has a blue finish. The barrel is blued with a polished chamber. The two-piece checkered hard rubber grips have "COLT" embossed in a scalloped panel at the top and the circled Rampant Colt trademark at the bottom. The magazine has a full blue finish. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with "BROWNING'S PATENT"/PAT'D APRIL 20, 1897" in a two line block followed by "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO/ HARTFORD.CONN. U.S.A." in a second, two line block. The circled Rampant Colt trademark is stamped behind the serrations of the left side of the slide. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 32 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" in two lines. The serial number, "7379", is located on the left side of the frame. Material that accompanies the pistol indicates that Sir Robert Jones (1858-1933) was an English Surgeon who practiced at the Royal Southern Hospital in Liverpool until 1905. During WWI he was appointed Director-General of Military Orthopedics, was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1919, and was later made a Baronet. The material includes a letter from the Buffalo Bill Museum that states there is no correspondence in the Buffalo Bill Museum between William F. Cody and Dr. Jones but states that the pistol might have been presented to Dr. Jones during the Wild West Show's 1904 English tour.

Rating Definition:

Period refinished. The pistol retains most of the blue finish with scattered pitting on the sides of the frame and slide. The pitting is heaviest on the left side of the slide and frame. The inscription appears to be original to the pistol and is crisp and sharp. The grips are in very good condition. This is an unique example of an exceedingly rare William F. Cody presentation Colt Model 1903 Hammerless 32 Pocket semi-automatic pistol.



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