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
Land of Origin	Belgium / USA
Specifications
Length	114.3mm (4.5in)
Barrel length	51mm (2in)
Weight	368.5g (13oz)
Cartridge	.25 ACP
Action	semi-automatic, single action
Feed	6-rd detachable magazine
Sights	fixed Iron sights
Production History
Designer	John Moses Browning
Manufacturer	Fabrique Nationale de Herstal Colt's Manufacturing Company
Produced	1908-1948
No. Built	1,080,439

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.

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. 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”.

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.

Resources

This article or section is missing resources, such as diagrams or manual links, and could use more input to fill in the missing bits. You (yes, you!) can help Gunsopedia provide more comprehensive information to our users by using your own knowledge to add to it.

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.

Year	Starting serial	Production for year	Year	Starting serial	Production for year	Year	Starting serial	Production for year	Notes
1908	1	850	1922	315200	12,825	1936	399600	2,035
1909	850	22,250	1923	328025	11,725	1937	401635	3,865
1910	23100	19,100	1924	339750	13,250	1938	405500	500
1911	42200	19,300	1925	353000	4,000	1939	406001	1,800
1912	61500	20,400	1926	357000	6,950	1940	407800	1,000
1913	81900	21,000	1927	363950	8,050	1941	?	4
1914	102900	20,550	1928	372000	3,350	1942	409061	1
1915	123450	10,400	1929	375350	6,900	1943	N/A	0	Wartime production shutdown
1916	133850	21,825	1930	382250	5,350	1944	N/A	0	Wartime production shutdown
1917	155675	19,375	1931	387600	5,200	1945	N/A	0	Wartime production shutdown
1918	175050	19,750	1932	392800	2,300	1946	408600	1,000
1919	194800	43,000	1933	395100	1,900	1947	420500	200
1920	237800	43,000	1934	397000	1,750	1948	?	1
1921	280800	34,400	1935	398750	850