COLT GOLD CUP NATIONAL MATCH GOVERNMENT MODEL .45 ACP PISTOL & WOOD DISPLAY
SOLD FOR: $1,725.01
WOA:WY240311WOA003
Description: Colt Gold Cup National Match Government Model .45 ACP Semi Automatic Pistol & Box
Make: Colt
Model: Gold Cup National Match
Serial Number: 33336-NM
Year of Manufacture: 1969 (Colt Serial Lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP & .22 Long Rifle via Conversion Kit
Action Type: Single Action Semi Auto Pistol fed by Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: All barrels measure 5″.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the slide above the muzzle. The rear sight is a fully adjustable Elliason square notch sight pinned to the top rear of the slide. The top of the slide is serrated to help reduce glare. The Conversion Slide has a blade with white polymer rear fixed to the front of the slide. The Conversion Slide has a square notch in a fully adjustable rear mount pinned to the top rear. The top of the Conversion Slide is matte to help reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut featuring gold-colored Colt medallions. The grips show no notable wear or damage, just some faint handling and storage marks. The checkering is sharp. The grips are in excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: OriginalBore Condition (.45 ACP): The bore is mostly bright, the rifling is sharp. There is a bit of persistent fouling in the grooves but no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 9 or 10 out of 10.Bore Condition (.22LR): The bore is also mostly bright, the rifling is sharp. There is a bit of persistent fouling in the grooves but no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore also rates a 9 or 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows the slide has taken a slightly plum hue. There are scattered nicks, scratches and handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol features an adjustable rear sight, and wide, serrated adjustable trigger. The trigger is crisp. The slide has no play to the frame. We did not fire this firearm. We have cleaned this firearm and performed a mechanic’s check but expect many will want to clean the firearm again depending on their standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a Colt wooden case with brass fixtures, an instruction manual with factory handouts, a bushing tool, a cleaning rod, a Colt screwdriver tool, a key for the wooden box’s lock, the .22LR Conversion Slide assembly with recoil spring & guide, a spare bushing, a spare .45 ACP National Match barrel, two (2) .22LR 10-round magazines and two (2) .45 ACP 8-round magazines; all with intact feed lips and strong follower springs.
Our Assessment: In the mid-1900s the 1911 was used for all manner of pistol competitions, but the base Government model typically needed some tweaking and modification to get the best performance. In 1957, Colt introduced their Gold Cup National Match, an out-of-the-box, purpose-built target pistol with adjustable target sights, hand-fit parts, serrated grip frame and adjustable trigger. This example is from 1969, a fairly early Gold Cup made just before the pistols would actually be marked “GOLD CUP”. It appears to have seen little use, retaining about 97% of its metal finish, a great bore and strong mechanics. All of these old National Match pistols are collectible, this early example with the significant added value will make a great addition to nearly any collection, but should also prove to be a great shooter. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid.- K.F.