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Exceptional Post-War Colt Super 38 Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box and Factory Letter

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,100.00 USD Estimated At:2,250.00 - 3,750.00 USD
Exceptional Post-War Colt Super 38 Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box and Factory Letter
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Exceptional Post-War Colt Super 38 Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box and Factory Letter

Manufactured in 1954. The right side of the slide is marked with the one line address and the left side is marked "COLT SUPER 38/AUTOMATIC" followed by the Rampant Colt. Fixed low profile sights, polished blue finish on the flat surfaces and matte on the remainder. Fitted with checkered plastic grips with the Rampant Colt in a circle in the center. The accompanying factory letter verifies the caliber, barrel length, blue finish with the grips as "Not Listed" and that he was shipped as 1 of 2 to ZCMI Wholesale Distributors in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 29, 1954. ZCMI is Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution, the "Peoples Store" founded in 1868 and is what one historian called "America's First Department Store". The store spawned a region wide system of local cooperatives owned and operated by the people. In 1872 the ZCMI began production of its own line of work clothes, soon to be famous for its "Mountaineer" overalls. In 1876 several of the departments were consolidated under one roof and in 1880 a wing was added doubling the square footage of the long stretching three story brick and iron building on Salt Lake City's Main Street. In 1961 ZCMI moved to the suburbs with branch stores in Cottonwood, Valley Fair, University Malls, Ogden and Logan. ZCMI is still publicly owned with upwards of 1,400 stockholders and strong ties to the Mormon Church and in 1988 the Mormon Church owned 51 percent of ZCMI's stock. A copy of the original sales receipt is also with the gun dated November 16, 1954, showing it having been sold to a Joseph F. Smith. Joseph Smith Jr. was the founder of the Latter Day Saints in the 1820s in Western New York later moving the church headquarters to Kirtland, Ohio and changing the name to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The church collapsed in Ohio and was moved to Missouri and later to Illinois. In 1844 after Smiths death the organization split up in several groups with the largest group migrating with Brigham Young to the Great Basin (now Utah). Several groups formed in Illinois and united around Joseph Smith III, the son of Joseph Smith Jr. It is unknown if the Joseph Smith who purchased the pistol in 1954 is related to the aforementioned Smiths or not, however the possibility exists. Comes in the non-matching correct brown hinged lid book and manual. There is a serial number on the bottom of the box which is difficult to make out. The end label is the correct gold with black lettering.

Manufucture: Colt
Model: Super 38
BBL: 5 inch round
Stock:
Guage: 38 super
Finish: blue
Grips: plastic
Serial Number: 117345

Excellent. The pistol retains 98% original blue finish with some mild edge wear, and a few minor scratches and handling marks. The grips are also excellent with a few minor dings and crisp checkering. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically fine. The box is good with some mild moisture damage, corner and edge wear and a slightly bowed lid.