1st Year! Pre-War Colt Super .38 Automatic 5” 1911-A1 Pistol & Box 1929 C&R
SOLD FOR: $6,925.00
LSB#: WY250310TP071
Make: Colt
Model: Super .38 Automatic, 1st Model
Serial#: 4182
Year of Manufacture: 1929, 1st Year Production
Caliber: .38 Super
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The right side of the slide is marked “COLT”, “SUPER .38 / AUTOMATIC” and with a Rampant Colt logo. The left side of the slide is marked “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 front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP in a triangle and “1”. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “60”. The right side of the frame above the trigger is marked “4182”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the top of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece Ivory panels with Colt medallions in their centers. These genuine Colt ivory grips display a warm, handsome patina along the rear edges of both panels, enhancing their authentic vintage charm. Minor natural grain cracks at the bottoms underscore their age and originality, without compromising their structural integrity or appeal. The central Colt medallions remain beautifully clean and bright, completely free of verdigris, accentuating the classic elegance and collector desirability of these exceptional grips. The grips rate in Very Good Plus overall condition. The Colt letter does not mention Type of Stocks. The grips are likely replacements.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates an 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90+% of its metal finish. There is minor thinning and finish loss on the front edges of the slide and frame and a few very light marks on the left side of the slide and frame. There is some light intermittent oxidation mainly found on the front strap. The mainspring housing knurling shows light wear and there is moderate wear in the knurling at the back edge of the hammer spur. The slide serrations and the knurling on the other small parts are sharp. The grip screws are sharp and the markings are crisp. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. The slide has very minor play to the frame. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a Factory Box & owner’s manual w/ ‘shooting suggestions’ pamphlet, one 9-rd magazine marked on the baseplate “COLT”, “SUPER / .38 AUTO”, “M / S”, with a Colt Rampant. It also comes with a Colt Factory Letter confirming that it was one of two pistols of its kind shipped to W. Bingham Company of Cleveland, Ohio on October 8, 1929.
Our Assessment: The .38 Super cartridge was first introduced by Colt in 1929 as a higher pressure loading of the .38 ACP. It is capable of driving a 115 gr. bullet to nearly 1400 fps., producing almost 500 ft-lbs. of energy. This is not quite up to the .357 Magnum, but was still capable of penetrating body armor and automobile bodies. Today, the cartridge is favored by many top pistol match competitors for its ability to make “Major” category with a lighter bullet offering less felt recoil than that produced from a .45 ACP round. Colt first introduced the round in its 1911A1 frame, making it basically the same as the Government Model except for the caliber. The 1911 pistol had already gained a reputation as a highly reliable pistol during WWI, Colt saw no reason not to capitalize on that reputation with a new caliber offering.
This Super .38 pistol was made in 1929, the first year of production. This pistol is in Fine condition, showing wear consistent with its age. The pistol is in great shape mechanically and retains an almost minty bore. The Super .38 pistols are highly prized by collectors and one from this early in production will be no different. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
