Manufactured from 1903 to 1947, the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer pistol, with 31,229 produced, was the most popular large frame automatic manufactured by Colt until the introduction of the Model 1911/Government Model. This example is an important piece of Colt and Model 1903 Pocket Hammer production history as it appears to be a tool room model used for testing the fitment and functionality of triggers and hammers. The slide has the standard two-line, two-block patent date and address markings on the left and the two-line caliber marking on the right. The rest of the pistol is devoid of markings. The slide is unique in that it has not had the ejection port cut or been fitted with sights. There is a small cut in the top of the barrel near the muzzle. It is not fitted with a trigger or hammer, likely so that newly manufactured triggers and hammers could be dropped into the frame for functionality tests. It is fitted with a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts and Colt banners, and the magazine is absent. The entire pistol appears to have been pulled from the production line for this purpose before receiving its final polishing and finish. Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection

Very fine as a tool room test gun, showing mostly a bright grey patina overall with some scattered patches of brown and dark grey. The grips are very good with a few light chips around the edges and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically fine as a fitment test model (see above).