Question colt 1908 .380

[GBEAR1]

Does anyone know at about what serial number did Colt begin to use the 2 tone magazine in the model 1908 .380 cal. Thanks in advance

[Chris W.]

I think just the opposite is the case. Think they all had 2 tone mags up until about WW2. Don't know if Colt ever did a change up until the late production runs. Both of my 1908's and my 1903 32acp have the 2 tone and I have never found a original Colt mag that was any different.
Chris

[Johnny P]

On the Colt Pocket Hammerless .380 the magazine tempering changed to the two tone at approximately serial number 15000. Prior to this Colt tempered the feeding lips of the magazine and then blued them. It was found that the heat from the bluing operation was removing some of the tempering, so Colt changed the procedure and the magazines were first blued and then tempered, which removed the bluing from the top of the magazine.