NICE Pre-War Colt Super .38 Automatic Government Model 1911, 1932 C&R
SOLD FOR: $7525
LSB#: 220929TM015
Make: Colt
Model: Super .38 Automatic
Serial Number: 13668
Year of Manufacture: 1932 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
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 “13668”. The rear face of the slide, under the firing pin plate, is marked “136 / 68”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded bladed fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a square notched sight that is dovetailed into the top of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut. The checkering shows light wear, mostly at the bottom edges and a little around the grip screws. There are a few scattered light marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at most edges. There is light handling wear in the grip areas. There are a few scattered minor marks including light scratching under the slide stop on the left of the frame. There is finish wear on the detent housing above the left grip panel. There is some scattered very faint surface oxidation, mostly on the slide. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The trigger pull is crisp. The slide is tight on the frame. The action functions correctly. 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 one blued nine round magazine with the top half “In The White”. The floorplate is marked “COLT” and “SUPER / 38 AUTO.”. The body has light operational wear and the spring is strong, but there is a crack at the rear of the left feed-lip.
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 1932, fairly early in production. This pistol is in Fine condition with about 95% of its original metal finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion and the slide is tight on the frame. The Super .38 pistols are highly prized by collectors and one in this nice of a condition with its original finish and high condition is going to have the collectors standing in line to bid. Please see our photos and good luck!
