DGFM-FMAP Argentine 1911 Sistema Colt 1927 #s Match 45 ACP Pistol, 1948 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1125

LSB#: 210527BB51

Make: DGFM-FMAP (Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles) Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina

Model: 1927 Sistema Colt

Serial Number: 39512

Year of Manufacture: 1948

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine (no magazine included)

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “D.G.F.M. – (F.M.A.P.). The right side of the slide is marked the Argentine crest, “EJERCITO ARGENTINO / SIST. COLT CAL. 11.25 mm. MOD. 1927” and “39512”. The top of the slide, the right side of the frame above the trigger, and the barrel at the port are also marked “39512”. The bottom of the trigger guard has “CAI ST ALB. VT” import mark.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black synthetic. The bottom screw on each panel is seized to its bushing, turning the screw head causes the bushing to turn in the frame rather than the screw to turn in the bushing. The grips have light handling wear with a few scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are light tool marks around the screw heads. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is sharp. There is scattered light erosion in the bore with some stubborn leading in the grooves near the muzzle.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are several scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, some under the finish. There is some light finish wear along te left of the slide. There is infrequent minor erosion under the finish, most notable on the left of the dust cover. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has both a manual and grip safety and the trigger pull has a tiny amount of creep. The slide has light play to the frame. The bottom screw on each panel is seized to its bushing, turning the screw head causes the bushing to turn in the frame rather than the screw to turn in the bushing. We did not fire this pistol. The pistol has a lanyard ring on the bottom of the mainspring housing.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None. Please note, no magazine is included with this pistol.

Our Assessment: In 1914, the Argentine military adopted the Colt M1911 as their standard military sidearm and contracted with Colt to supply these guns. Argentina took shipment of 2,151 of these weapons between 1914 and 1919. In 1923, Argentina adopted an armaments bill that would eliminate Argentine dependency on foreign arms. Under this bill, the Argentine Congress authorized appropriations for a military modernization program and prepared the infrastructure for a domestic arms industry. In accordance with the new law, an aircraft factory was established in 1927, a munitions factory in 1933, a small steel mill in 1934, and a small arms factory in 1936, all of which were managed by Argentine army officers. In 1927, the Argentine Commission for Foreign Acquisitions secured a licensing agreement giving the Argentine government the right to manufacture these pistols using drawings, material specifications, instructions, etc. supplied by Colt. Production of the Sistema Colts began in 1927, and 14,000 were produced by 1942. In 1945, a new factory (FMAP) was brought on-line and produced another 88,494 pistols through 1966. The Sistema Colts continued to be used in Argentina until the 1990’s, when they were replaced by Browning High Powers. The Sistema Colts were identical to 1911A1 pistols produced by Colt, and the parts were interchangeable. Top quality steel was used in the construction, and they are known to be as tough and reliable as those made by Colt. This pistol was made at the FMAP factory in 1948 and was issued to the Argentine Army. The pistol has honest wear consistent with an issued military pistol, but has been refurbished, so it still looks great. The high quality of the Sistema Colts and the relatively few produced make them very collectable, especially ones like this with matching numbers. Please see our photos and good luck!