Colt 1st Model Gold Cup National Match .38 Special Mid-Range Blue, 1961 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4000
LSB#: 210917MW58
Make: Colt
Model: Gold Cup National Match .38 Mid-Range
Serial Number: 2507-MR
Year of Manufacture: 1961 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup), Second Year Production
Caliber: .38 Special Mid-Range (flush-seated wadcutter)
Action Type: Single action, Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine
Markings: The right side of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” The serial number “2507-MR” is on the right side of the frame. The right of the trigger guard is marked “G”. There is a “Y” and a Verified Proof mark on the forward left trigger guard bow. The left side of the slide is marked “NATIONAL / *MATCH*”, “COLT”, “AUTOMATIC / .38 SPECIAL / MID RANGE” and with a rampant colt logo. The barrel is marked “COLT .38 SPEC. N.M.”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge style blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation, pinned to the slide’s rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are full-checkered walnut panels with gold-colored Colt medallions. The grips have light handling wear with some discoloration from age and handling. There is some verdigris around the medallions. Otherwise, there is no notable damage. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined, generally sharp. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. There is some light scuffing on the left slide flat toward the front. There is minor handling wear in the grip areas. The action shows minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The pin heads are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. The slide has almost no play to the frame. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a two-piece cardboard Colt box with model matching label and the serial number hand-written on the bottom, a Colt Gold Cup National Match .38 Special manual, serial-matching test target and with a total of two 5-round first-model magazines. We believe that the magazines are the 2nd style due to the shape of the lip at the front, but please view the photos as we do not have a 1st style for comparison. The magazines show minor operational wear with intact feed lips and strong springs. The box has scattered storage wear, heaviest at edges and corners.
Our Assessment: The Gold Cup National Match .38 Mid-Range was designed from the ground up for ISSF matches. It has the features of the first-model Mid-Range including chamfered recoil spring plug and matching chamfered bushing, chamber with no headspace shoulder at the front, with the cartridge headspacing on the rim of the case at the top of the chamber, with the bottom unsupported where the barrel is chamfered for the feed-ramp, and non-Elliason adjustable rear sight. It also comes with a serial-matching box and test target! The pistol is in Fine-plus condition with about 96% of its finish remaining, a bright bore and strong mechanics. While many of these features would be changed later to improve the design, Charles Clawson notes in “Colt .45 Government Models” that “Production of these first two models was extremely limited, and are ranked among the rarest postwar pistols” (P101). In its high condition and with its rarity, this would be a fantastic addition to a Colt collection. Please see our photos and good luck!