It may be a problem for a serious collector, but that's a mighty fine looking 1908 Colt .380. I'd be glad to have one in that condition. Serial number sez 1929 manufacture.

I could get over the minor problem also. Looks good to me. Something else to look for at the next gun show I go to. Do you have a full photo of the .380 after varnish removed?

Sure is a fine looking little pistol. I for one would love to have it. There's a story to those numbers and name and that's what I would try to find out about.

A little over ten years ago I bought an original "U.S. PROPERTY" 1903 in 32 ACP with the parkerized finish. The only flaw was the same thing you had. Mine looks as though it had a drivers lic.# or some other sort of ID enscribed barely into the finish but not the metal. Same # etched onto magazine as well. The park finish is in very goog condition and I'm not about to refinish it. I paid 250 dollars for it through a private party sale.

That's very, very nice!