Lot 243

B.G. Bunker's U.S. Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Pistol

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B.G. Bunker's U.S. Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Pistol

Estimate: $4,500 - $6,500

Starting Bid: $4,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

U.S. Property Marked General Officer's Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol Documented as Issued to Brigadier General Howard G. Bunker Manufactured in 1945, this is an excellent example of one of only 1,500 Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols that were issued as U.S. General Officer's pistols according to Brunner in "The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols". This example has the standard Colt markings, the U.S. property marking on the right of the frame, and the "M" prefix stamped in front of the serial number. It is fitted with a blade front sight, notch rear sight, and a pair of checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions. This particular pistol is listed on p. 163 of the previously mentioned book as having been issued to Brigadier General Howard Graham Bunker on 31 May 1950. Bunker graduated from West Point in 1928, initially assigned to the coastal artillery but quickly transitioning to aviation, completing that training in 1929. During the beginning of World War II Bunker was attached to the Army Air Corps' Experimental Engineer Section, and then served in the European Theater as the Chief of the Air Technical Section from February 1943 to February 1944. From then until February of 1945 he served as the Director of Technical Services in the headquarters of the Air Service Command of the United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe. After the war, he transitioned to being primarily involved with the U.S. nuclear program, being one of the two Air Force members of the Military Liaison Committee of the United States Atomic Energy Commission from 3 October 1951 to 29 October 1954 and then retiring in 1958. He died in 1994 and is buried at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1908

BBL: 3 3/4 inch round

Gauge: 380 ACP

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial NumberM137963

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Provenance: Brigadier General Howard G. Bunker; The Gus Cargile Collection
  • Condition: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original blue finish with some light edge wear and a few scattered very light specks of surface oxidation. The grips are also excellent with a few scattered light blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000