Colt Super .38 Automatic 1911 A1 1911-A1 Government Model Pistol & Box, 1950 C&R

SOLD FOR:$2,500
Make: 
Colt 
Model: Super .38 Automatic 
Serial Number: 79365 
Year of Manufacture: 1950 (Colt Serial Number Lookup) 
Caliber: .38 Super 
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-automatic with Removable Magazine 
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT”, “SUPER .38 / AUTOMATIC” followed by a Rampant Colt. The upper left side of the trigger guard is marked with both a “Q” and the Verified Proof while the upper right side of the trigger guard is marked “95”. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT’S MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. and the frame’s right side is marked “79365”. 
Barrel Length: 5” 
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a lightly serrated ramped blade. The rear sight is a dovetail set, flat top square notch. 
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with gold colored Colt medallions. The grips show only the lightest of handling marks. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition. 
Type of Finish: Blue 
Finish Originality: All Original 
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is shallow and sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. 
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The slide has lost finish on some of the hard edges, especially at the muzzle. The right side rear cocking serrations show a couple bright spots and a compression mark at the bottom of the three rear serrations. The rear left side of the slide has a compression mark at the bottom sharp edge behind the safety notch. There is a scratch on the right side of the grip frame just above the mainspring housing pin. There are four separate scratches on the left side of the frame from replacing the slide stop lever and light scratch on the dustcover. The grip screw heads are sharp, but show signs of a screwdriver. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition. 
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This appears to be a factory stock pistol, without any gunsmithing alterations or tinkering. It has a serrated arched mainspring housing and short trigger. We did not fire this handgun. 
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A two-tone blued factory 9-shot magazine is provided in Fine condition. The floorplate is marked “COLT” and “SUPER / 38 AUTO”. The owner’s manual has yellowed a little with age and had to be folded and creased to fit in the factory box. There are some tears along the creases and the manual rates in about Very Good condition. An approximately 9” x 6” x 1 ½” brown hinged cardboard box is provided. It is marked “Colt” in gold on the lid’s exterior and has an end label that describes the make, model, caliber and barrel length of this pistol (but does not have a place for the serial number.) The interior has a Rampant Colt on the lid and “COLT” over a Rampant Colt above “COLT’S MANUFACTURING CO. / HARTFORD, CONN., U.S.A.” on the bottom. The box is frayed and scuffed with portions of the lid separating. The box might be in Good overall condition (at best) only because boxes that are over sixty years old are hard to come by. Please see our detailed photos for a better assessment of the box. 
Our Assessment: This is a box stock Colt .38 Super 1911 from 1950. It is in Fine condition cosmetically and especially mechanically. That it has a box and owner’s manual is just icing on the cake. The .38 Super is a serious self-defense round, and the 1911 is a serious self-defense pistol. This example was made just after World War II by arguably the best trained and experienced Colt workforce ever. While it’s certainly collectable, modern sights would turn this pistol in a great handgun for home and self-defense. 

Colt Super .38 Automatic 1911 A1 1911-A1 Government Model Pistol & Box, 1950 C&R
Colt Super .38 Automatic 1911 A1 1911-A1 Government Model Pistol & Box, 1950 C&R