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Exceptional Documented Colt Factory Engraved .38 "Super Match" Semi-Automatic Pistol as Shipped to t

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 37,500.00 USD
Exceptional Documented Colt Factory Engraved .38  Super Match  Semi-Automatic Pistol as Shipped to t
This is an exceptional example of a rare Colt "Factory Engraved Super Match" pistol in the desirable .38 Colt Super cartridge. This pistol is completely original and full documented via Colt factory letter dated May 2009. As noted in the letter this specific pistol was a "1" gun shipment that was shipped to Colt's Mfg. Company at "Camp Perry Ohio" for the 1935 National Matches that were held that year. Based on that it is obviously this pistol was intended as an advertisement piece, that was put on display at the Colt booth. Based on that information, this specific pistol could actually be one of the very first Colt Super Match pistols produced in this caliber, as these pistols were produced between 1935 and 1941, with only "36" factory engraved Model 1911A1s in this caliber recorded in the Colt ledger. The total production of this model was estimated between 3000-5000. This pistol has a beautiful, "Master" level, vine and scroll and geometric engraved pattern that covers approximately 75% of the metal surfaces of the pistol with a light punch dot background for shading. The actual engraving is just exceptional in its lay-out and symmetry on the pistol which has been nicely intertwined in the Colt markings on this slide. It has the correct beautiful hand polished Colt pre-war blue finish with smooth ivory grips. The Colt factory letter that fully documents the exact configuration of the pistol is as follows; 38 super, blued finish, ivory grips, factory engraved, shipped to the Camp Perry National Matches, August 1935, Colt Factory order number, 14359/2, as a 1 Gun shipment. These pistols were produced to the same exacting standard as the Model 1911 45 ACP National Match pistols also produced during this time, but in the highly accurate and highly efficient 38 Super cartridge. These "Match" pistols all featured a hand-honed and hand-fitted slide and frame with minimal tolerance to improve accuracy, along with a hand-polished trigger and sear groups giving one of the smoothest actions of all the Colt semi-automatic pistols. The slide is fitted with a target ramp front sight with hand stippling on top and a Colt factory, adjustable target rear sight and it is correctly numbered (17109) under the firing pin retaining plate. The right side of the slide is marked "COLT/ MATCH /SUPER 38 / AUTOMATIC" followed by the Rampant Colt motif. The opposite side of the slide has the Colt two-line factory address and patent markings that consist of; "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U. S. A. /PAT'D APR. 20, 1897.SEPT. 9,1902.DEC.19,1905.FEB.14, 1911. AUG.19,1913". The left upper portion of the trigger guard bow is marked with a "4". It has all of the standard Model 1911A1 style features such as the Colt blue barrel with polished chamber area that is marked "COLT 38 SUPER" on the left side of the below the chamber area, the checkered slide stop, checkered thumb safety, Colt checkered wide spur hammer and arched main spring housing with the checkered face of the trigger. It is complete with an original half-tone blued magazine that is marked on the base plate "COLT SUPER / 38 AUTO". It is fitted in a handmade walnut display case with a black felt interior lining.
BBL: 5 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 38 Colt super
Finish: blue
Grips: ivory
Serial Number: 17109
Condition: Excellent with 98% of the original Colt factory high polished blue finish overall. The engraving is exceptional overall and very nicely accents the pistol. The ivory grips are also excellent overall with a nice smooth aged appearance showing nice grain on both sides. The only noticeable thing is that the hammer was re-polished or replaced at some point and a correct one should be reinstalled. These were not engraved so it should be a very easy restoration and would improved the pistol. The case is in very good condition and serves as an excellent storage or display case.