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Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Hammerless .25 ACP - British Proof Marks

Colt 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP British Proof Marks

Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP serial number 1342 - One of the earliest examples encountered with British proof marks.  Proof marks are located on the left rear slide (above the thumb safety lever), on the left rear frame (to the right of the thumb safety lever) and on the barrel, visible through the ejection port. This pistol was shipped on February 2, 1909 to Colt's Patent Fire-Arms Mfg. Co, London Agency, London, England in a 25 gun shipment.

 

Model N sn 89853 with British Proofmarks

Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP serial number 89853. Shipped in a 100 gun shipment on April 22, 1913 to Colt's Patent Firearms Company, London Agency, London, England. 

Model N sn 89853 with British Proofmarks

A close-up of the British Commercial Proof marks (Crown over "V" with no circle above horse's head) on the left side of the slide and frame.  This proof mark was used from 1904  to 1925.  This proof mark was applied in accordance to the Gun Barrel Proof Act of England, which required that all commercial firearms offered for sale, exchange or export to be proved in accordance with the British Rules of Proof.  Notice the replacement thumb safety.

Model N sn 89853 with British Proofmarks

Right side of same gun.  Notice the additional (later) set of British Proofs on the slide and frame above the trigger.

Model N sn 89853 with British Proofmarks

A close-up of the British Proofs on the right side of the gun.   In addition to the Crown over "V" (now in a circle), there is an additional stamping "NOT ENGLISH MAKE" in a box, to the right of the British Proof on the frame.  The barrel is heavily proofed through the ejection port.  From 1925 - 1955 the Rules of Proof changed requiring foreign arms to be marked with the words "NOT ENGLISH MAKE".

Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP serial number 102323 - Shipped in 1914 to Colt's Patent Firearms Company, London Agency, London, England. 

Location of British Proof Marks are present on let side of the slide and frame.  On this example, there are no British Proof Marks on the barrel visible through the ejection port.

Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP serial number 102323 - British Proof Marks on right side of slide and frame.

Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP serial number 103239 - Shipped in 1914 to Colt's Patent Firearms Company, London Agency, London, England. 

Location of British Proof Marks are present on let side of the slide, frame and on the barrel visible through the ejection port.

Right side of Colt 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP (Model N) sn 103239

Late model pistol "NOT ENGLISH MAKE"

A late model Colt 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP pistol with British proof marks on the left rear slide and frame.  In addition the right side of the frame has the words "NOT ENGLISH MAKE" in a box.

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