National Match Colt Gov’t Model .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol 1938 C&R
SOLD FOR: $11,113.99
LSB#: LSB260625TP005
Make: Colt
Model: National Match / Government Model
Serial Number: C189567
Year of Manufacture: 1938 / C&R
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 7-round magazine. The magazine shows light operational use. Overall, the magazine rates in Excellent condition.
Barrel Length: 5″
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a small serrated metal blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is an adjustable square notch dovetailed to the slide.
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” / “PAT’D APR.20,1897. SEPT.9,1902. DEC.19,1905. FEB.14,1911. AUG.19,1913”. The right side of the slide is marked “NATIONAL MATCH COLT”, AUTOMATIC” / ” CALIBRE .45″, and a Rampant Colt. The right side of the frame is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL” and the serial number. The slide and frame stampings have been inlaid with gold. The bottom of the barrel lug is marked with an “MB”.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. There is handling wear and compressions. The checkering remains defined, with minor peak loss. There are no chips or cracks. Overall the grips are in Very Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is copper fouling in the bore. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates a 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its original finish. There are scattered handling scratches. There is minor finish loss and thinning at the muzzle, frame’s leading edge, and along the frontstrap and backstrap. There is a takedown scratch. The action shows operational wear. The markings are clear and legible, and retain most of its gold inlay. The screw heads are sharp with light tooling. Overall, this pistol rates in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. The Colt letters state that an adjustable rear sight was installed and 3/4 lb. pull work was done. The second letter states that the records do not mention this pistol being equipped with a “new safety device” at time of shipment.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: 1x 7-round magazine and 2 Colt letters.
Our Assessment: The pre-war Colt National Match Government Model is one of the most desirable commercial 1911 variants of the interwar period, built for target shooters at a time when Colt was refining the Government Model for serious competition use. Based on the full-size commercial Government Model, the National Match pistols were selected and fitted for improved accuracy and shootability, with features such as target sights, tuned trigger work, and higher attention to performance than standard production pistols. These pistols became closely associated with bullseye competition and the American target-shooting culture of the 1930s, making original pre-war examples especially attractive to advanced Colt and 1911 collectors. Manufactured in 1938, this example falls into the desirable pre-WWII National Match era and is accompanied by two Colt letters, one of which states that an adjustable rear sight was installed and trigger pull work was performed. The gold-inlaid slide and frame markings, National Match slide legend, commercial “C” prefix serial number, sharp bore, and factory letter support give this pistol standout appeal as a high-condition Colt target pistol from one of the most collectible periods of Colt automatic pistol production.
This Colt National Match / Government Model is a C&R-eligible .45 ACP single-action semi-automatic pistol with a 5” barrel, blued finish, adjustable rear sight, serrated front sight, gold-inlaid markings, two-piece checkered walnut grips, one 7-round magazine, and two Colt letters. The pistol retains about 98% of its original finish with scattered handling scratches, minor thinning at the muzzle, frame leading edge, frontstrap and backstrap, a takedown scratch, and operational wear. The grips rate in Very Fine condition with handling wear, compression marks, defined checkering, minor peak loss, and no chips or cracks. The bore is bright with sharp rifling, copper fouling, and no erosion, rating 9 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly, and the included magazine rates in Excellent condition with light operational use. This pistol should appeal strongly to advanced Colt collectors, pre-war National Match collectors, 1911 enthusiasts, C&R handgun buyers, and target pistol collectors looking for a documented 1938 Colt National Match with strong finish, factory-letter support, and excellent collector presence. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY