Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket

Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket pistol
The FN modèle 1906 that was the personal weapon of Swiss general Henri Guisan, on display at Morges military museum.
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	Belgium  USA
Production history
Designer	John Moses Browning
Manufacturer	Fabrique Nationale de Herstal Colt's Manufacturing Company
Produced	1908-1948
Number built	1,080,439 [1]
Specifications
Weight	368.5g (13oz)
Length	114.3mm (4.5in)
Barrel length	51mm (2in)
Cartridge	.25 ACP
Action	semi-automatic, single action
Feed system	6 round detachable magazine
Sights	fixed Iron sights

The Model 1908 Vest Pocket is a compact, hammerless, striker-fired, semi-automatic single action pistol. Manufactured by the Colt's Manufacturing Company from 1908 to 1948, it was marketed as a small concealable firearm which could be easily tucked into a gentleman’s vest pocket for unobtrusive carry. Created by famed firearms designer John Moses Browning, the Model 1908 followed Browning’s earlier European version, introduced by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal as the FN Model 1905. Both pistols were chambered for the Browning-invented .25 ACP (Automatic Colt pistol) cartridge.^[2]

Features and options

Known as the Model ‘N’ internally within Colt, the 1908 Vest Pocket is a diminutive 4.5 inches long, and sports a 2 inch barrel. Weighing a mere 13 ounces, it is fed by a six round single column magazine.^[3] The pistol’s fixed open iron sights were rather small and rudimentary, but typical for small hideout automatics of its era and adequate for the short range at which it was intended to be used. Colt's advertising and marketing literature of the time highly touted the advanced safety features of the Model 1908, including a standard slide-locking safety catch, as well as a grip safety. In 1916 Colt engineer George Tansley invented a third safety feature for the pistol, the magazine safety disconnector, which prevented accidental firing with the magazine removed. This additional safety device was added to production in 1916 or 1917 in the latter 139,000 serial number range, and patented by Colt in 1917. Proud of the state-of-the-art technology represented by this advance, Colt included a green brochure marking its inclusion with every Model 1908 sold for a year after its introduction. Additionally, in approximately the 280,000 serial number range, the left side slide inscription was altered to include the patent date for the disconnector, also known as the “Tansley Device”.^[2]

Finishes

The ‘Vest Pocket’ was mainly produced with the famous highly polished lustrous Colt Royal blue finish, featuring color-casehardening of the safety catch, grip safety, and trigger. A second popular option was polished nickel plate, and various specialty and customer order finishes were also available, including gold and silver plating, as well as ornate engraving. Standard grip materials available included black hard rubber in both square and round top configurations, and finely checked walnut. All factory grips sported a medallion emblazoned with the famous ‘rampant Colt’ which was available in 2 differing styles. More elaborate grip options were also offered, such as Ivory (both plain and carved), as well as mother of pearl.^[2]

Production

In 40 years of production a total of approximately 420,705 Model 1908 pistols were manufactured, pausing only during 1943-1945 due to the demands of World War II production.^[2] An improved redesign became the Baby Browning, which is still in production.

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ ^{a b c d} [2] Colt autos website. Accessed June 6, 2008.
3. ^ [3] Nazarian's Gun's Recognition Guide. Accessed June 6, 2008.