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This is an interesting Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless. It was shipped November 1st, 1946 in a 43 gun shipment. The factory letter states it was shipped to Joseph A. Lorch at 1010 Vermont Avenue N.W. in Washington, D.C. Special features include a "U.S. Property marking" and the finish is listed as a Dull Blue finish.
When looking at this Colt it has a matte finish on the top and bottom of the slide. The side surfaces as well as the frame are a Dull Blue that is polished. Similar to the finish seen on the Colt Government Models that were produced post war.
The grip panels have been milled out to have aluminum inserts placed in them. They are the same size and shape of inserts that were used on the M15 General Offcier's Model. It's possible that this may have been a sample sent to Lorch for determining what the next series of General Officers Pistols would become in the future.
Joseph Lorch was Colt's representative in Washington D.C. for many years. He received many shipments of Colt pistols and revolvers and often delivered them personally to federal agencies, employees or military personnel.
