Colt 1903 U.S. Property Marked - Lend Lease

[MikeS]

Hi,
I just picked up a Colt 1903 U.S. Property marked .32 auto. The condition is very good, with a bit of wear visible on the right rear portion of the slide. In addition, it appears someone attempted to strike the U.S. Property marking. This is a British Lend Lease pistol with very good original blued finish. I was wondering if this model has collector interest? Is there a way to find out if this Colt was ever issued to a General Officer? Thanks in advance for your help.
Mike

[lisik]

Of course this model has collector interest and if you want to find out if its a Generals Pistol, request the letter from Colt factory. This pistol would be a nice collectible if someone did not scracth over USP legend on frame.

[MikeS]

I was wondering if someone could tell me how to go about checking my Colt U.S. Property marked 1903 to see if it was originally issued to a GO? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Mike

[Tom D]

Your pistol is not listed in the SRS records I have as being a GO pistol. You likely have one of the several thousand US Property marked 32 caliber pistols shipped to Great Britain, probably in late 1944. Of these, about 2,300 are known to have had a blued finish. Most were released for commercial sale in the 1960s, and that's when they were proofed and received the British proof marks.

[rjcolt]

Tom D is right on with his info, there is no record of this pistol being issued to an individual officer (the fact that it went to England would also indicate that it wasn't issued to an individual). There is limited collector interest in this pistol because of the condition (nearly all of these guns came back to the US unissued and many can be found in NIB condition) and the US Property scratch over also hurts. However, the blued US Property guns do command a premium over the parkerized guns.

[MikeS]

I wish to thank each of you for responding to my listing. I must say, I was pretty sure when making the purchase that this Colt had never been issued to a GO. You have confirmed my doubts. That being said, this is still a very nice example, even if the U.S. Property marking has a few lines through it. There still aren't as many of these around as compaired to the standard Model 1903.
My best to all,
Mike

[Kestral]

Wonder if this model could be traced.Found in an old shed,very well hidden for many years,Believed to be from UK agent sent here during ww2 to see what the Germans were upto.Any captured agents apparently never had a weapon on them when picked up,The shoulder holster is well made and a little bit different to usual.Hope the pics come out ok.

[Douglas_Jr]

Kestral,

I can't help you with the question about to whom it was issued. However, if I read correctly the serial number (105526), I can tell you that this pistol (Model 1908) was manufactured in 1929.

Greetings,
Douglas.

[Kestral]

Thanks for the info,all is very welcome,prehaps over the months ahead some more might come to light,but I think it will prove difficult.

[KevinA]

Tom....are SRS records available for public access? I have a Colt 1903 US Property (serial # 571988) that I would like to gather as much info about as I can. Belonged to my father who passed on to me. Not sure how he acquired but would like to build a to pass on to my children. Thank you for any assistance you can provide.