James Darren’s Sphinx Model AT.380-M .380 ACP 3.27″ DAO Semi-Auto Pistol
SOLD FOR: $1325
LSB#: 210416JD06
Make: Sphinx
Model: James Darren’s AT.380-M
Serial Number: DD1218
Year of Manufacture: Mid-1980s-1996
Caliber: .380 ACP
Action Type: Double Action Only DAO, Detachable Magazine Fed Semi-Automatic
Markings: The right side of the frame is marked “SILE/OSSIAN / INDIANA U.S.A.”. The side of the chamber visible through the ejection port is marked “.380”. The left side of the frame is marked with the serial number above the magwell, “SPHINX / MADE IN / SWITZERLAND”, and “U.S. PAT.”. The left side of the slide is marked “SOLOTHURN AT .380-M”.
Barrel Length: 3.27”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade fixed into the slide. The rear sight is a square notch and is dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black plastic panels with smooth borders and Sphinx logos. The grips have no major defects, just light handling wear. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued Slide & Controls, Stainless Frame & Barrel
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 97% of its metal finish. There is faint thinning on the front edges of the slide. There are some light handling marks and faint draglines. The edges of the hammer have a bit of faint thinning and so do the slide releases. The markings are strong and easily read. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this handgun is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The pistol has a smooth double-action trigger pull. 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 magazine, serial matching case, paperwork including the manual, a cleaning kit, a picture of James Darren, and a signed letter from James Darren listing this gun by serial number. The magazine is 10-rounds and has scattered finish light wear from standard use, in about Fine condition. The case has some light wear and the top foam liner is deteriorating, in about Very Good-Fine condition. The letter states that this gun comes from James Darren’s collection and the picture is of him and is from the movie “The Guns of Navarone”.
Our Assessment: Sphinx got into firearms in the 1980s and is best known for their continuous improvements on the CZ 75 design. The Sphinx pistols were primarily used by special forces, military, and competitive shooters due to their high quality and reliability. The Sphinx pistols are built with extremely close tolerances and assembled by master gunsmiths so they tended to be more expensive because they could not be mass-produced, but they are worth every penny. This example is an AT.380-M, a compact Double Action Only semi-auto with fully ambidextrous controls. It is in Excellent condition with about 97% of its metal finish, a bright bore with sharp rifling, strong mechanics, original box, and it hardly even looks used!! This would make a great home defense or carry pistol and would make a good gun for recreational target shooting as well. That said, the scarcity of this model makes it already collectible and this one comes from the collection of actor James Darren. James Darren had roles in films including “The Guns of Navarone”, “Gidget”, “Hearts of Atlantis” and TV series including “T.J. Hooker” and “The Time Tunnel”. Please see our photos and good luck!