Argentine Hartford Colt 1916/1911 .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1915 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1320
LSB#: 211130DM02
Make: Colt
Model: Commercial Government Model 1911, Argentine Army Purchased. Argentina designated this model “Pistola Sistema ‘Colt’ Modelo Argentino 1916, Calibre .45”.
Serial Number: C20005
Year of Manufacture: 1915 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup), 5th pistol produced for the 1st Argentine purchase from Colt.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR.20.1897. SEPT.9.1902 / DEC.19.1905. FEB.14.1911. AUG.19.1913” with a rampant colt logo and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The right is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 45”. The top of the slide is marked with an Argentine crest. The rear of the slide is marked “2” under the firing pin plate. The right side of the frame is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL / C 20005”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “b”. The top of the frame is marked “b” in front of and to the right of the disconnector, there are small squares on the frame rail to the right of and in the concave area in front of the feed-ramp. The top of the barrel is marked “005” and with a diamond-shaped Argentine proof/inspection mark. One magazine is marked “005” on the floorplate.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a U-notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered synthetic Fornalit panels. The left panel is broken across the top mounting screw hole, with the top piece held in place only by the bottom portion when the grip is installed. The grips have light handling wear with well defined checkering. Overall, the grips are in about Fair condition as not original to the gun and would rate Very Good or better but for the break in the left panel.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished, the slide is not original to the frame.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light-moderate erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its current metal finish. There are several scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, some under and some through the finish. There is scattered light erosion under the finish, most notable under the grip panels. The markings are generally clear, some are worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is light play between the slide and frame. This pistol has manual and grip safeties. 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 a single blued 7-round magazine, two stainless 7-round magazines, a black plastic Doskocil case and a wood presentation case. The blued magazine has operational wear and some scattered erosion under the finish with intact feed lips and a strong spring. The two stainless magazines have minor operational wear, intact feed lips and strong springs. The display case has minor storage wear with a gap opening up between two pieces of the lid.
Our Assessment: In 1914, the Argentine military adopted the Colt M1911 as their standard military sidearm. Originally, Argentina contracted with Colt to produce the pistols, but only about 21,000 were procured from Colt. In 1923 they started a program of increasing the domestic production of their military equipment and in 1927, Argentina negotiated a contract with Colt to produce the design in their own country. Their original purchase was for 1,000 pistols, all in Colt’s normal Commercial Government Model serial range from C20001 to C21000, shipped through Britain to comply with Colt’s licensing agreement with Fabrique Nationale. These pistols were designated “Pistols Sistema ‘Colt’ Modelo Argentino 1916, Calibre .45”, and this pistol is the fifth gun in this order. Given the Argentine crest on its replacement slide, it is likely that the slide was matched by an Argentine arsenal during refurbishment. The pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished with much of its new finish remaining, a shootable bore and strong mechanics. This is a nice example of one of the earliest Argentine “Hartford Colts” and will make a great display with other Argentine handguns or in a 1911 collection. Please see our photos and good luck!