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Coltautos.com Gun of the Month - September 2016
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A well worn Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP serial number 17655 - factory roll marked "P.D.N.Y. No. 811" on right side of frame above stock. ( Left stock is a later style Type III.) Over 800 of these pistols were ordered by the New York City Police Department for issue to detectives. This is one of the last ones shipped and is the highest number I've encountered.
Colt 1908 Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP serial number 17655 Factory Letter - Date of manufacture April 9, 1914, Factory Engraved "PDNY No. 811" on the right side of the frame. Shipped to Police Department, City of New York, April 11, 1914, 40 guns in shipment. Prior to ordering these Colt pistols, the New York Police Department issued to its officers Colt New Police .32 revolvers that were factory engraved with the inscription "New York Police" on the back strap.
The man in the photograph who is not in uniform is Alfred P. Lane, Olympic shooter and gold medalist. Lane was hired by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 1914 to train police officers how to shoot with the new semi-auto Colt 1908 Pocket Hammerless .380 caliber pistols. Photo is dated March 16, 1914. Source: George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress).
Model M .380 serial number 17655 factory rollmarked "P.D.N.Y. No. 811" on right side of frame above right stock. Someone drilled holes into the right stock (small pony early style Type III), presumably an attempt by a left handed shooter to improve the grip on the pistol. |
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