Model N .25 Caliber Vest Pocket Pistol

Another John Moses Browning creation. By the way, John Browning also invented the .25 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge fired in this gun. This Colt 1908 Hammerless .25 (Vest Pocket) Model N was manufactured in 1916. This example has real factory mother-of-pearl grips!

Note: The genuine Mother of Pearl grips added $5.75 to the $16.50 base price of the gun for a total new purchase price of $22.25 in 1916.

Greg
1903 Colt Pocket Hammerless
Value Analysis 1916 to 2008

Occasionally a gun that I have purchased intrigues me to the point that I feel compelled to analyze it's history. This is one such gun, mostly in terms of the price I paid for it and then the price I sold it for. I purchased this gun for $500 in the Fall of 2007. In the Fall of 2008 when President Obama was elected, I sold it for $1,000.

1908 Colt Vest Pocket Historic Values
.25 Caliber Vest Pocket

Important Note: I believe that the condition of the original nickel finish and the factory mother-of-pearl grips greatly influenced and enhanced the value of this gun. This graph clearly illustrates the slow growth in value during production years, then accelerated growth after Colt ceased production.

Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols II
Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols II

Whether I can attribute the market price increase entirely to the "Obama Reaction" (buying frenzy) is in question, although I like to think that it was certainly a factor. I'm sure that if I were 125 years old and had personally owned this gun for 92 of those years, I would have witnessed ups and downs that are not indicated on the graph. If we can't say the "Obama Price Bump" accounted for the entire gain, then I have to question my purchase price.

Was it a bargain purchase price when I bought it?

In retrospect, perhaps. The gun was purchased at a gun show from a dealer. I saw the gun on day one, a Saturday and it appealed to me but for some reason I did not buy it. On the following day when I returned to the event I went to see if it was still there. Sure enough it was. The price tag was $500 and the seller was firm on his price, so I paid him.

Therefore I have first hand knowledge that the little gun was exposed to the market. There were many buyers there that Saturday and Sunday.

Did I get a better price by selling on the internet rather than locally?

I'm sure I got the best price selling online. I don't recall thinking that I had gotten a super bargain at the time I bought it. I did feel it was a good deal and that the gun should be worth more. I recall thinking that the grips alone might be worth a lot. There may be some market differences to account for here as well. I bought at a local gun show (big city) and sold on an internet auction (one bidder). Anytime I sell a gun like this (which is not often, except when Obama was elected), I go through a local FFL to transfer and ship.

A Collectors License (C&R) does not authorize the collector to engage in the business of dealing in curios or relics. A dealer’s license must be obtained to engage in the business of dealing in any firearms, including curios or relics. Source: [18 U.S.C. 922(a) and 923(a); 27 CFR 478.41(d)]

author
Greg

My MOS when I served in the United States Army was 76Y. For you non-military readers, the Military Occupational Specialty of 76 Yankee means that I was a Unit Armorer. While on REFORGER 85, I trained with German Paratroopers and qualified as "Expert" with the German G-3 rifle, the Israeli Uzi 9mm sub-machinegun and the 9mm handgun.

Holsters for the Colt Pocket Hammerless Colt Holsters