Colt Experimental Prototype Pocket Model GX-3181
The GX-3181 pocket pistol prototype is one of a number of post-World War Two developments attempted by Colt. The other major project being the redesign of the 1908 Pocket Hammerless.
Like the 1908 Pocket Hammerless redesign, the GX-3181 prototype takes the original pistol and makes some ergonomic changes and subtly restyles the 1908 Vest Pocket. The Colt 1908 Vest Pocket was designed by John Browning, which used a striker-fired action to create a compact .25 ACP pocket pistol.
The 1908 Vest Pocket was introduced first through FN as the Model 1906, before Colt began production in 1908. The original pistol incorporated a frame-mounted manual safety and a grip safety. A magazine disconnect, designed by George Tansley, was added in 1916.
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket (source)
The original 1908 Vest Pocket pistol remained in production until 1941 (with a brief restart of production in 1946), and on sale into the late 1940s. This is likely when Colt looked to revamp the original. The prototype, pictured above, reshaped the pistol grip, deleted the grip safety and redesigned the magazine release catch. The pistol grip now swelled to make it more ergonomic and easier to hold.
Very little is known about the prototype but unlike the original pistol it is chambered in .22 LR, rather than .25 ACP. It has an anodised black aluminium frame and a blue finish on the slide. The pistol did not enter production, instead Colt introduced the Junior, a .25 ACP hammer-fired pocket pistol in 1957. The Colt Junior was little more than a re-branded Astra Cub, imported from Spain.
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