
Post-War Colt Super .38 Automatic Blue 5″ 1911 Semi-Auto Pistol, 1953 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,925.02
LSB#: 231030LJ172
Make: Colt
Model: Super .38 Automatic
Serial Number: 112113
Year of Manufacture: 1953 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .38 Super
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic, Detachable Magazine Fed Pistol
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade with a serrated rear face staked to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown plastic panels with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The right panel is WWII-era, the left is post-war. The grips have minor handling wear. The most notable marks are light tool marks around the screw heads on the lef tpanel. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning lightly at all edges. Most of the balance is handling wear in the grip area, showing some discoloration from oxidation. There is some light wear and scratching under the grip panelsThere rae a few other scattered minor nicks and scratches including a faint “idiot mark” under the slide stop on the left of the frame. The right face of the hammer has some minor surface erosion which has been scrubbed out. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The slide has minor play to the frame. We did not fire this handgun. 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 9-round magazine.
Our Assessment: The .38 Super cartridge was first introduced by Colt in 1928 as a higher pressure loading of the .38 ACP. It is capable of driving a 115 gr. bullet past 1400 fps., producing more than 500 ft-lbs of energy. This is not quite up to the .357 Magnum, but was still capable of penetrating body armor and automobile bodies of the time. Today, the cartridge is favored by many top pistol match competitors for its ability to make “Major” power factor in IPSC/USPSA, with a lighter bullet offering less felt recoil than that produced from a .45 ACP round. Colt first introduced the round in its 1911A1 frame, making it basically the same as the Government Model except for its cartridge. The 1911 pistol had already gained a reputation as a highly reliable pistol during WWI, Colt saw no reason not to capitalize on that reputation with a new caliber offering.
This post-war Super .38 pistol was made in 1953 and is in Very Good condition. The pistol shows honest wear from handling and normal use. It retains a nice bore and strong mechanics. The Super .38 pistols are highly prized by collectors, and this one likely will be no different. If it gets past the collectors, this Super .38 should still make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
