Pre/Post-War Variation. Characteristics include a tank blued finish (hardening line visible on front of slide), Type II machine checkered walnut grips (surplus parts), bright polished barrel, Rampant Colt present on rear of slide (14 slide serrations)

Other Pictures:
The earliest variation of the Vest Pocket Model. Characteristics include a high polished blued finish, early Type I black hard rubber stocks, full blued barrel, no rampant Colt present on rear of slide (16 slide serrations).

Factory Inscribed Colt Model N with Police Department markings. This gun came from a Judge in Reading, PA, so the "R.P.D." is believed to be for the Reading Police Department.

Manual(s)
(MANUAL) Colt M1908 Vest Pocket Manual (.pdf)

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 Patent was sold to Colt. 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.

Known as the Model `N` internally within Colt, the 1908 Vest Pocket is a diminutive 4.5 inches (114,3 mm) long, and sports a 2 inch (51 mm) barrel. Weighing a mere 13 ounces (369 gr), 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”.

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.

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 wartime production.

For a List of total production details:
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket production details

Weapontype:
Pistol

Manufacturer:
Colt Defense LLC, P.O. Box 118, Hartford, CT, 06141 U.S.A. Tel: 1-800-241-2485, (860) 232-4489 Fax: (860) 244-1442

Cartridge:
.25 ACP

Weight:
369 gr (13 oz)

Length:
114.3 mm (4 1/2 in)

Barrel:
51 mm (2 in)

Magazine Capacity:
6 rounds

Sights:
Fixed