Post-War Colt Super .38 Automatic Blue 5″ 1911 Semi-Auto Pistol, 1948 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,975.00
LSB#: LSB250712EK001
Make: Colt
Model: Super .38 Automatic
Serial Number: 72951
Year of Manufacture: 1948 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .38 Super
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic, Detachable Magazine Fed Pistol
Barrel Length: 5″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short, serrated blade staked to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown and black swirl plastic with reinforcement rings around the screw heads and molded rampant colts in circles. The left panel is broken across the top grip screw, the top portion is held in place by the detent tunnel. The grips otherwise show minor handling wear with only a few light marks. The checkering is well defined. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Remaining finish is Original. We suspect that the chamber hood was polished as there are no markings on the barrel.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion, but there is some scattered stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates a 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is light handling wear in the grip areas. There are fairly evenly scattered tiny nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The slide has light play to the frame. 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 with a single 9-round Colt magazine and one 10-round Wilson Combat magazine in factory packaging.
Our Assessment: The .38 Super cartridge was first introduced by Colt in 1928 as a higher pressure loading of the .38 ACP. It is capable of driving a 115 gr. bullet past 1400 fps., producing more than 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 of the time. Today, the cartridge is favored by many top pistol match competitors for its ability to make “Major” power factor in IPSC/USPSA, 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 its cartridge. 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 post-war Super .38 pistol was made in 1948 and is in Very Good-plus condition, showing wear consistent with responsible use over the last 75+ years, but retaining a good bore and strong mechanics. The Super .38 pistols are highly prized by collectors, and this one certainly will be no different. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
