Colt Argentine Navy Commercial Government Model 1911 Pistol, MFD 1948 C&R
Sold For: $1,300
LSB#: 201018CA11
Make: Colt
Model: Government Model 1911, Argentine Navy Purchased
Serial Number: C236350
Year of Manufacture: 1948 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLTS MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The right is marked “GOVERNMENT / MODEL”, “COLT”, “AUTOMATIC / CALIBER .45”, rampant colt, and “REPUBLICA ARGENTINA / ARMADA NACIONAL”. The rear of the slide is marked “C” and “P” under the firing pin plate. The right side of the frame is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL / C236350”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “Q”, the right is marked “71”. The top of the frame is marked “2” behind the disconnector. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked with an Argentine “AP” monogram. The top of the slide has an Argentine crest. The bottom of the frame is import marked “KASC G’BORO NC” through the finish.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a serrated ramp fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have minor handling wear with some tool marks around the grip screws. The checkering is generally sharp with a few individual blunted checkers. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished, likely arsenal refurbished prior to export.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The balance is mostly in operational wear. There is some minor handling wear in the grip straps and a few other scattered light marks. There is an “idiot mark” under the slide stop. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good-Fine 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 7-round magazine. The magazine has operational wear and some light surface oxidation with intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. While most think of the US Military when it comes to the 1911, the design was also licensed out to Argentina for their Model 1927 pistol which would later become the Ballester-Molina. Despite Argentina producing the 1911 domestically, the Argentine navy purchased commercial Government Model pistols from Colt between 1948 and 1950, and this is one such example. The pistol is in about Very Good-Fine condition with much of its new parkerized finish remaining, a nice bore and strong mechanics. This would be a nice addition to a WWII sidearm collection and would also be nice to display with an Argentine 1927 and Ballester-Molina. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R Pistol CAN be sold as a dealer sale in California but CANNOT be transferred as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) as our Simi Valley location. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.