Colt 1911A1 Gold Cup National Match Series 70, Jim Boland Shop Customized Blue 5” SA Semi-Automatic Target Pistol, MFD c. 1980
Sold For: $1,135.00
LSB#: 161206KG93
Make: This pistol was made by Colt and customized by Jim Boland.
Model: This is a MKIV Series70 Gold Cup National Match pistol that has been customized.
Serial Number: 70N71757
Year of Manufacture: circa 1980. The 70 Series Gold Cup was made between 1970 and 1983, and the serial number of this pistol puts it at about 1980.
Caliber: .45 A.C.P.
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT’S MKIV/SERIES 70 / GOLD CUP NATIONAL MATCH / .45 AUTOMATIC CALIBER”, with a “Rampant Colt” logo. The rear of the slide behind the serrations is marked on both sides with a circled “JB” logo. The right side of the slide is marked “GOLD CUP / NATIONAL MATCH” and with an outline of a gold cup. The right side of the frame is marked “COLT PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and “70N71757”. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “F” at the front. The left front side of the trigger guard is marked “H” and with a “VP” in a triangle. The barrel at the port is marked “COLT .45 AUTO. N.M. / MK.IV/SERIES ‘70”. The ambidextrous safety is marked on both sides with “A. D. SWENSON / FALL BROOK, CALIF.”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: This pistol is mounted with a square notched flat topped rear sight that is screwed into the top of the slide and adjustable for elevation and windage. The base of the sight is marked “ELLIASON”. The front side is a blade with a bright red ramp that is fixed to the top of the slide. There is a thin serrated rib along the top of the slide. The top of the slide and its rib have a matte finish, also to help reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a black one piece checkered rubber that wraps around the front strap and is marked “PACHMAYR”. The grip has slight thumbrests on both sides. The front of the thumbrest on the left side has been cut-away for improved access to the magazine release with the thumb of the shooting hand. There are no disfiguring marks noted except for a small mark in the smooth area where part of the grip was removed. The checkering is sharp. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: The sides of the slide and frame have a polished blue finish. The top and bottom of the slide and the bottom of the frame have a matte black finish. The extended ambidextrous safety has a matte stainless finish. The mainspring housing is sharply knurled and the front of the trigger guard has been modified from round to square, with serrations added for support to the index finger of the non-shooting hand.
Finish Originality: The finish is not original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its current metal finish. There is finish loss on the front edges of the slide and frame, with thinning on the edges of the frame, the outer edge of the slide release and in the serrations on the front of the trigger guard. There is also thinning on the tips of the knurling in the mainspring housing. There are several dings and a few scratches on the right side of the frame and a few light marks on the left side of the slide. The mainspring housing knurling and the hammer, slide and slide release serrations are sharp and the magazine release serrations show light wear. The grip screws are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: This pistol has a tight slide and a trigger that breaks crisply at 2 lbs 8 ozs. The trigger is skeletonized and adjustable for over travel. The mainspring housing was replaced with one having fine knurling and the front of the trigger guard has been built-up to have a square front face with serrations. An extended ambidextrous safety by A.D. Swenson has been installed. We did not fire 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 hard chromed magazine marked “COLT / 45 AUTO” on the floorplate. The body of the magazine shows light wear. The magazine is in about Fine condition.
Our Assessment: This pistol started out as a top-of-the-line Colt MKIV Series 70 Gold Cup National Match pistol that came with an accurized barrel and bushing, an adjustable trigger, a target hammer, solid rib on the slide and a Colt-Elliason rear sight. It was further customized by Jim Boland to add an ambidextrous extended safety by A.D. Swenson, square-off the front of the trigger guard and serrate it, and replace the serrated mainspring housing with one having fine knurling. When all this was accomplished, the frame was given a flat black finish. At some point, the grips were replaced with checkered rubber grips by Pachmayr, which were also customized by cutting a deep groove through the front of the thumbrest on the left side for better access to the magazine release. This pistol is in about Fine condition with 95% of its current metal finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. This pistol was obviously modified for action pistol or bowling pin competition – you don’t need a squared-off trigger guard for bullseye shooting, but that doesn’t mean that you couldn’t use it for bullseye shooting, and with a trigger that breaks at 2 ½ lbs and a nice bore, it ought to provide all the accuracy you need for winning. This pistol is also perfect for home defense and combat pistol matches at your local range.
