Shanghai Municipal Police Colt 1908

Published on November 15, 2014
Duration: 8:44

This video details a rare Colt 1908 Pocket Hammerless modified for the Shanghai Municipal Police (SMP), a force led by William Fairbairn. The pistol features unique modifications like a set screw to disable the safety and a barrel pressure spring, reflecting Fairbairn's extensive combat experience and tactical innovations. These changes aimed to improve reliability and combat effectiveness in a challenging environment.

Quick Summary

The Shanghai Municipal Police Colt 1908, modified by William Fairbairn, featured unique tactical upgrades like a permanently disabled safety and a barrel pressure spring for enhanced reliability. These changes reflected Fairbairn's combat experience and focus on practical police effectiveness.

Chapters

  1. 00:19Intro: SMP Colt 1908
  2. 01:01History: SMP & William Fairbairn
  3. 03:03Markings & Identification
  4. 03:44Tactical Mods: Safety & Carry
  5. 04:50Mechanical Mod: Barrel Spring
  6. 06:18Magazine & Disconnect Mods
  7. 07:24Conclusion & Auction

Frequently Asked Questions

What modifications were made to the Shanghai Municipal Police Colt 1908?

The SMP Colt 1908 featured 'SHANGHAI MUNICIPAL POLICE' markings, a police issue number, a lanyard loop, a set screw to disable the manual safety, a flat leaf spring for barrel pressure, modified magazines, and removed magazine safety disconnects.

Who was William Fairbairn and what was his role with the Shanghai Municipal Police?

William Fairbairn led the Shanghai Municipal Police, developing modern police techniques. He was a former Royal Marine who implemented innovations like early SWAT teams and bulletproof vests to combat crime in 1920s Shanghai.

Why were tactical modifications like disabling the safety made to the SMP Colt 1908?

Fairbairn added a set screw to lock the safety off, and officers carried in 'Condition 3' (loaded magazine, empty chamber). This aimed to prevent fumbling with small safeties under stress, improving combat readiness.

What was the purpose of the leaf spring modification on the SMP Colt 1908's slide?

A unique flat leaf spring was added to the slide to apply pressure to the barrel. This modification was likely intended to improve the pistol's reliability and prevent malfunctions, based on Fairbairn's extensive field experience.

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