HafDASA (Ballester-Molina) Semi-Automatic Pistol .45 ACP 5″ C&R 1930s-50s

SOLD FOR: $1,203.00

LSB#: LSB250731KK010

Make: HafDASA / Hispano-Argentina Fábrica de Automóviles S.A. (Ballester-Molina)

Model: Ballester-Molina (HAFDASA pattern)

Serial / Markings: Right frame: B.7250 (British contract prefix). Backstrap: 21285. Slide roll-stamp (left): Spanish legend identifying manufacture under Ballester/Molina patents (“PISTOLA AUTOMATICA CAL. 45 FABRICADA POR HAFDASA … INDUSTRIA ARGENTINA”). Multiple crown-over-GP proof/inspection marks present on slide and frame. 

Year of Manufacture: Argentina, HAFDASA production (late 1930s–1950s era). C&R

Caliber: .45 ACP (11.43 mm) — standard service chambering for Ballester-Molina pistols and compatible with Colt 1911–style magazines used by Argentine forces. 

Action Type: Semi-automatic, short-recoil, Browning-style operating system with HAFDASA modifications (solid backstrap in place of a grip safety and simplified controls typical of Ballester designs). 

Barrel Length: 5.0″ (127 mm) nominal

Sights: Fixed front blade and rear dovetailed notch; original style low-profile service sighting.

Markings: The left side of the slide is roll-marked in Spanish identifying HAFDASA manufacture under Ballester-Molina patents. Right frame bears B.7250, a British contract prefix used on wartime contract batches; crown-over-GP proof marks appear on both slide and frame consistent with Argentine inspection practice. These inspection and contract numerals are important to provenance — the “B.” prefix and associated ranges are documented on Ballester-Molina contract examples. 

Grips / Stocks: Period ribbed wooden grips, showing honest wear and light handling marks; screws original-style slotted.

Type Of Finish: Blued finish overall; high-edge wear and handling marks at controls and slide edges with most surfaces retaining attractive, even blue. No evidence of recent re-bluing noted from visual inspection.

Finish Originality: Appears largely original to the pistol; even wear pattern and visible proof marks are consistent with original HAFDASA service finish.

Bore Condition: Bore inspected visually where possible — rifling appears well defined with no visible erosion in the portions viewable. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10 for an ex-service example (cleaning may reveal stronger brightness).

Overall Condition: 94% blue retained. Good—service-grade cosmetic wear consistent with military/police use. Slide and frame retain the majority of original finish with light holster and handling wear on high edges. Wood grips show period wear but are straight and serviceable. Proof marks and serial stamps are crisp and legible, supporting the pistol’s Argentine government/ wartime provenance. No major pitting or visible repair welds were observed.

Mechanics: The pistol is a full-size, single-action service design with standard Ballester controls; hammer, trigger and slide operate smoothly by hand (no function firing performed). We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements. 

Accessories: One period magazine noted (floor-plate marking present); original style lanyard ring and service hardware intact. No holster or additional paperwork included.

Provenance / Historical Notes:
The Ballester-Molina was produced by HAFDASA beginning in the late 1930s as Argentina’s economical, serviceable alternative to the Colt 1911 pattern; the pistol served widely with Argentine military and police services and even saw wartime export to allied users (the United Kingdom purchased contract lots during WWII). Contract examples carrying a leading B. serial prefix are associated with British wartime purchases and are a well-documented collector interest area. The Ballester’s design borrows key functional features of Browning’s .45 service family while employing manufacturing simplifications (solid backstrap, simplified control parts) that made it easier to produce in the Argentine wartime industrial context. 

Our Assessment:
A solid, honest example of Argentina’s Ballester-Molina (.45 ACP) with service-worn charm and searchable contract/serial markings. The HAFDASA roll-mark and crown-over-GP proofs give this pistol clear national and inspection identity, while the B.7250 right-frame stamping and backstrap serial together make research into contract lineage and issue history practical for collectors. Mechanically, this is the durable, uncomplicated sidearm the model is known for — a good candidate for a mil-surp collection or a tactile example for historical display. For bidders who appreciate mid-20th-century service arms, it offers a direct link to Argentina’s domestic arms production and the Ballester’s interesting WWII export story. We are no longer offering layaway.  KF