Anvil 091: Colt 1903 Reassembly, after Conservation 

Man, you made putting that thing back together look way too easy! Back in the 1970s, I took one of those things apart. I was having all sorts of trouble with it. I asked my gunsmith teacher/mentor what I should do. (He worked out on the floor of the shop, and I was in a back room fixing old police confiscated firearms). When he came in the back he started laughing. He said 'I see you got it apart, If you think that was hard, You're gonna have fun getting it back together!'. I asked him to help me and he explained that the gun would be back together before we closed for the day but wanted me to try to figure it out, before I got help from him. I knew it was going to be something because he went over laying out all the parts in order AND laying several other guns along the bench. I asked him what they were for. He told me 'I'm teaching you how to work on these things but the owner isn't going to be happy if he finds out he paid you all day to work on ONE gun'. He was right! After several hours and attempts I came out of the back with the little pocket Colt in hand. Mr Edmundson laughed and proceeded to function check it. He was all smiles telling me how good a job I had done. The owner walked by and saw the pistol. He said 'Don't take that thing apart! I took one of them apart and couldn't get it back together'. I was a pretty proud 13 year old! Great video! Take Care and be safe, John

That's what I like the most about looking at old tech, you can see where the later stuff came from and what design features died off.

If PBS had any balls they would make this an hour long show and put it on every Saturday morning.

I have never detail stripped my 1920 Colt Model 1903. I have rebuilt quadrajet carburetors by the side of the road, built my own automotive engines, made small parts for my Dad's Star Model B, and repaired "unsaveable" testing equipment at work. When I bought my 1903, I was given some advice: "if this is working right, don't mess with it." My little Colt works like the day it was made. Great little pistol.

This just maybe the only handgun John Moses Browning ever designed that doesn't give you hammer bite! My 1903 was made in 1914. My 1911 was 1917. Thanks grandpa!

John Browning deserves way more credit in this world than he is given .

I'm probably subscribed to over 200 different channels but this is the only one that I drop everything and watch when I get a notification

I have a 1903 of my own that was saved by a local gunsmith from the brink of death; it was so abused that none of the original finish was salvageable. Serial numbers date it to 1922 manufacture and the story is that a man bought it brand new for self defense, never had to use it, and just passed it down through the family until it got so ratty that someone sold it, and now it's in my collection. I personally carry it when I wanna flex with my EDC: nothing says cool like stopping a bad guy with a gun older than his grandfather lol

Always thought the 1903 looked elegant. Many thanks for your efforts.

Always a good day when a new anvil drops!

I must feed the algorithm, the world needs to see more of this

That was fun. Thanks, Mark & Bruno.

Brute force and Ignorance will over come most anything, but as you say it is the art of putting it back together. Great video.

Oh man....where was this vid 20 years ago when I tried doing that....only took me three days to get it back together 😂 Another great video, thanks!

Many of the guns on this channel I've never seen in person or touched, but I do have my great uncle's 1903. I never met him, he died from WW2 wounds in the early 50s, but his sister, my grandmother kept his Colt looking pristine. We had a bad flood a few years back and the gun was in a flooded room for a week. The nickel finish isn't pristine anymore, but me and my brothers still take it to the range every now and then.

Glad I watched this. I have Grandad's 1903 in the safe waiting to be taken down and cleaned. Last did it fifty years ago. This reminds me what a job it was to put back together. Guess it can stay in the safe until one of the next generation gets ambitious.

Love your description of how to deal with this HORRIBLE PIECE O CRAP PUZZLE...I got one Husqvarna, and its a hellish disaster to put together again

John Browning was a Genius....The man with a computer mind way back when.....Thanks my friend well done.. Thanks again.....

Having been afflicted with ADHD my entire life has left me with an inability to watch an entire episode of any show on TV much less a full length movie...so big thanks to RU-vid for bringing a useful way to interface with not only entertainment but highly useful and educational content. Having said all that, I especially want to thank you for not only supplying great content on a subject near and dear to me...but also being such an amazing and delightful teacher who has the ability to keep me 100% engaged the entire episode, no matter the length. You are one of the very few(Forgotten Weapons, C&R Arsenal included) channels that almost make me forget I have an attention deficit at all when I watch your channel. So once again, from the bottom of my heart to my ever racing thaughts, Thank you for all your work, Joshua👍😃

I’ll probably never own a 1903, but for some reason I’m enthralled. 🤓 It’s amazing to me how technologically advanced this weapon was in it’s day.

I dare say you're the most knowledgeable gunsmith I've seen. You made that look easy

Thank you for this video. I own a M1902 that had seen some abuse, and in an attempt to mitigate that abuse, I disassembled it for thorough cleaning and oiling. Unfortunately, I removed a single screw that is in the middle of the back of the handle, where the grip safety is on your 1903 (The M1902 did not have a grip safety). Unfortunately, I now realize that the screw served to anchor one or more parts of the sear assembly (likely the sear spring, based on this video and the design of the 1903). Less fortunately, that screw will not go back into place, and as a result the entire hammer assembly seems frozen. I am waiting for an opportunity to visit a gunsmith who has been referred to me, but in the meantime, this video tonight has helped me to understand why I should never have messed with that screw. Thank you again for this most instructive video, and if perchance you happen to take an M1902 (or a 1902 sport) apart in the near future, I shall be watching attentively.

Mark, I would like to thank you for your insight vids on all aspects of gunsmithing , I enjoy every one and look forward to watching your channel. Keep going man.👍

I picked up a 1903 not too long ago (made in 1911). It's not in excellent cosmetic condition but it's pretty decent. Amazing to see the tiny and precise internals and how they all go back together. Certainly something that will keep me from taking mine completely apart, lol. Glad to see you're keeping busy, Mark.

I have both the .32 and .380 versions, fell in love with them almost at first sight. lovely to look at, lovely to hold, and lovely to shoot. In the interest of being able to shoot them whenever I wanted, I replaced the barrels in both, keeping the good originals. The only thing I regret a little is I also bought spring kits and had a local gunsmith install them. As a result, the new mainsprings are so heavy that the magazine catch is extremely difficult to actuate. It is so hard to change mags that when I do take it to the range, I load all the mags once and once they are empty, I'm done. I have 3 mags for each gun, so that gives me ~18-24 rds.

Your “layers” showing the internal operation of the pistol are outstanding. You make it very easy to understand how JMB designed the pistol to function👍.

Thank You Mark!!!! I received a 1903 from my mother after she passed. It sat in her dresser for 60 years that I know of. What a great little gun. Hey if Sam Spade carried one it's good enough for me.

For once I've managed to see one of these with zero dislikes . Outstanding!

So full of awesome. I have Grandpa's 1903, which was carried as backup while he was road engineering in Burma in WWII according to family lore. The grips are not in as nice condition as these, and I need to shoot it more often, but I was ahead of the class, in that I knew how to field strip it, at least. You've convinced me never to detail strip it. Thanks Mark.

It's A beautiful little pistol, flat, easy to carry and dead simple to operate. Must be a mitsake. Thanks again for a lovely tale of Browning and how it's supposed to be done.

That bit with using a pilot to guide in a pin should be mandatory viewing for anyone intending to work where "Tab "A" goes in slot "B" .". Where I currently work, I deal with boom lifts, you have no idea how foreign an idea it is to many of the younger hires , "use a slightly smaller pin to align the holes, before -TAPPING- the proper axis pin home. ". More often than not, the BFH comes out and much bludgeoning occurs.

Bought one of these completely disassembled. It was found in an abandon storage unit sale. I had not worked on one before buying it. I finally figured out how to assemble it after studying pictures and a couple of videos, but it took me 4 hours of hard work to put it back together. Thanks for the awesome video!

These videos are always a pleasure to watch. Thank you for your work!

Up close with a real classic - awesome! Seeing this video pop up just made my day. Entertaining and educational, as always :) Keep up the great work, this is a great little channel!

Hey Mark, I absolutely love your videos and look forward to seeing them everytime they pop up on my feed. You play a good role as gun smith, historian, and machinist. I can't wait to see what else you have in store!

Glad to see a master at work, and good to know that a 1903 can be put back together. I had trouble with one, and I was advised from taking it apart all the way.

Mark. You are a hoot you make learning fun.

Holding one of three 1903's (this one with the two tone magazine and well worn black plastic grips) as I watched Mark's instructional video to help me visualize. I always appreciated the 1903, now even more so. And have a bookmarked the video so I have a good one on a total re-assembly (if it ever comes to that). As always, Mark provided information I didn't even know I needed

My all time favorite pistol, meets my all time favorite gunsmith. And a rabbit hole I don't want to end.

Another fascinating video, enjoyed learning more about a classic piece of old iron. Thank you sir.

When Mark racks the slide one can hear the solid nature of the pistol. It doesn't rattle; the slide goes back then forward without any extraneous sounds. Nice!!!

So interesting, thanks you very much. Best gunsmithing channel I’ve ever seen, we’re learning so much with it. 👍

This was very helpful. I’m redoing a Erasti 6.5 for a friend of mine. Very similar design and set up. Thanks for your time.

Like watching a master conservationist work on a masterpiece by de Vinci or Michelangelo. What a beautiful (and complex) design! And Bruno deserves an Oscar for cinematography. Well done Gentlemen. 😁👍

You say you’re not a historian Mark, but in the deafening absence of a CeRtain channel’s episode on the 1911, you are the best we’ve got...

Thanks for the video Mark (and Bruno).

I really don’t care if your videos are 20 minutes long or two hours long once I start watching them I can’t stop 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Love John Moses Browning firearms, I helped work on the restoration of his father’s home in Illinois, Jonathan Browning. These videos keep me entranced, my wife asked me what am I looking at, ‘gun porn’ of course!

Great video, and the flintlocks scttered in the background are awesome.

This is the first time I have commented on one of your videos. I just want to say thank you. I try not to miss a one. :)

Thank you so much for this. I have a Colt 1908 (same pistol in 380ACP). Later type made in 1927. Has a magazine safety which makes things a little more complicated.

As always another awesome video. Thanks guys.

I found a 1903 at a gun show, had seen better days and I paid $165. Disassembled, washed it in mineral spirits, air dried it, oiled it and reassembled. Shoots fine, functions flawlessly. I looked up the serial number, manufactured in 1921. Over a hundred years old now.

Keep it coming mr mark love it

I loved this! I live in the UK, where we don't own live handguns anymore....with notable rare exceptions. I own what 'purports to be' a Colt 1903 pocket hammerless, fully legally deactivated. However, despite that being what is stated on the deactivation certificate, due to some very minor differences in specific details and a complete lack of any Colt markings, I actually believe it must have been a very, very well made copy. It's genuine in terms of age and dimensions, and it functions exactly as the original. The serial number checks out to a Colt 1903 from 1915, but has been stamped on the side in a pretty basic way and not in the style of any other 1903 I have ever seen! Cosmetically, it's also in ' very well used' condition !! This video has taught me a lot about the internals. Clearly mine has been legally castrated so it could never be returned to a live fire gun, which is of course entirely as it should be here, but it does still fully function in other respects and field strips. Having seen this video, I will never take the lower section apart!! I would really love to find out more about the gun I have to see if I can explain the lack of markings and the minor differences I have noted from any other I have seen....

The gun’s only new once. That’s an awesome saying. I just found one on auction. It’s seen it’s better days. Just needs some work.Thanks for the video.

Great vid as always. Damn, I love my Tokarev so much right now.

Sweet! I've got one of those!

My own 1903 also has a 2 tone magazine. You will find inserting the magazine after placing the magazine catch will keep the disconnector and sear from rotating in the middle of assembly. Once your grip safety is in position you can remove the magazine.

"Kinda" interesting? I find this utterly fascinating Mark!

Wonderful video! Thank-you.

Nice save! I have a soft spot for these little guns. I bought one on a whim many years ago, and now it's probably the only handgun I own that's worth more than when I bought it, but it's also one of the ones I'd be least willing to sell. :)

The number one favorite firearm i own! your video's much appreciated!!! John M. Browning's mind acted like the "CAd" done today!! genius

Loved the nod to Count Floyd at ~3:59. :)

Another piece of art work compilation.

Thank you so very much for this informative video and concert from a master...

awesome video, i am partial to this little acp , they are quaint and very effective.

THANK YOU for this video!

I have one of these. Was handed down to me by my mother-in-law. This gun is easy to work on. I had no troubles at all. I just dont have mags for it. They are kind of hard to come by plus you have to make sure of what variant you have.

I learn something from every video here.

Thank you Mark for a blow by blow account.

My 1903 is in pristine condition! 95% + bluing. Great little gun

Great video. I'd like to see more episodes on old pistols.

Great thank you can’t get enough 1911. Accurizing....🇺🇸

I really lust for one of these pistols. To me, the ultimate pocket pistol from America; only the Mauser HSc is better.

🔴 *Mark Novak is one of the best*

Now that was a damn good episode ! Really interesting. 👌🏻👍🏻

I better not see any downvotes on this! Great vid as always.

OUTSTANDING tutorial Sir !!!

Love this series ! I'm glad i found this page. It will be a great help for my plans.

I detail stripped mine and it was bright orange from rust on the inside, after soaking and scrubbing the parts and putting it back together, I learned it helps to have a third hand while reassembling, shoots just fine though, I wrote it off as garbage when I got it in a multi gun lot and was pleasantly surprised, those colt guys picked some good metals.

Thank you from Canada as an amature pistol smith I absolutely love your entertaining and very informative videos even if I never see said product in person hope the youbox police stay away

Great work and video 👍

Thank you for the videos well done and informative. I

Awesome work

Thank you

My favorite pastime now is to watch you do your magic mark with a good 🥃 and a cigar ✌️

Just a great video, my favorite is a 1911......thanks...

I have disassembled/reassembled a Swedish Pistol m/07 (pretty much the same gun but in 9mm Browning Long) a couple of times, first time to fix a Maxim problem (firing pin got stuck, too much old goo in the channel), and then to try to fix a problem with the hammer getting stuck at the back so it doesn't fire for that reason, the later is still not fixed. Anyway, this video taught me a trick, to put in the spring before the hammer! If I remember correctly I have assembled it in the same order i disassembled; that is, putting the hammer in before the main spring, and that has frankly been horrible. 1911 is much easier to work with.

Thanks for the video

I remember the first time I took one apart . The slide broke my Grandmother's favorite candy dish

One day a compilation at Mark casually firing will be a great meme. He handles weapons better than anyone I’ve seen.

I had the pleasure of working on the FN version of the "Baby Browning" in 25ACP a few years ago. The workings are similarly as complicated, though this one had been rendered non-functional by someone installing one of the parts upside-down in the action. Basically the slide just remained locked to the rear. Great little sidearm.

JMB. The King. Lovely trip.

...putting that back together reminds me of a saying I heard at work..."like a one legged man in an ass kicking contest..."

Great work

Awesome video

Once you get the book done Mark you can always say that things are going by the book ;)

Thanks for the video.

that thumbnail(heh) caught me WAY off guard when scrolling through my sub feed. not gonna lie... was like, "wait one minute there Marky boy, what are ya using for a measuring stick there bud?" then realizing it was just a thumb...