DEREK FERNELIUS ENGRAVED PRE-WAR COLT SUPER .38 SEMI AUTOMATIC

Gorgeous 1934 Derek Fernelius engraved Pre-War Colt Super .38 Semi Automatic

Make: Colt

Model: Super .38 Automatic

Serial Number: 16565

Year of Manufacture: 1934

Caliber: .38 Super

Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic, Detachable Magazine Fed Pistol

Barrel Length: 5″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded 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 smooth bone. There are natural grain lines. There are light handling marks. The grips rate in excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued with Fire Blued & Gold Accents

Finish Originality: Original to Philip Quigley Master engraving

Bore Condition: The bore is gray and has strong rifling. There is erosion scattered in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are light handling marks. The barrel has operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in excellent condition as customized.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this gun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a single magazine, facsimile reproduction box, and facsimile reproduction manual.

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 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 pre-war Super .38 pistol was made in 1934 and is in excellent condition as upgraded. This pistol has been embellished by apprentice Derek Fernelius under his mentor Master engraver Philip Quigley. The pistol has full coverage relief scroll engraving accented with inlaid gold borders and fire blued parts. The factory markings are exceptionally preserved and are still crisp, the serrations are still sharp. The “COLT” marking on the right of the slide and Rampant Colt have been gold inlaid. The underside of the right slide rail is marked “ENG. DPF” and the left is marked “ENG. PL QUIGLEY”. Quigley’s pieces are in some of the most famous collections in the world including the Autry Museum of Western Art, National Civil War Museum and NRA Collection. The Super .38 pistols are highly prized by collectors and one this pretty is bound to end up in a collection!