Colt 1911A1 1911-A1 3rd Model, Blue 5” SA Semi-Automatic Target Pistol, MFD 1949 C&R

Sold For: $3,315.00

LSB#: 170107AL09

Make: Colt

Model: .38 Super 1911, 3rd Model

Serial Number: 78063

Year of Manufacture: 1949

Caliber: .38 Super

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT”, “SUPER .38 / AUTOMATIC” and with a Rampant Colt logo. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT’S MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. The right side of the frame is marked “78063”. The barrel at the port is marked “COLT SUPER 38 AUTO”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and a “Q”. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “95”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade that is fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch that is dovetailed into the top of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece checkered reddish brown plastic. The checkering is sharp and without flaws. The grips are in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: This pistol is blued, with the sides of the slide and frame having a polished finish. The top and underside of the frame, front strap, grip safety and magazine housing have a matte black finish. The magazine housing is serrated.

Finish Originality: The finish is original.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There are a few spots of extremely light erosion near the muzzle.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its current metal finish. There is thinning on the edges of the slide, frame, safety, and slide release, as well as on the surfaces of the trigger guard, front strap, grip safety and mainspring housing. There are also a few light handling marks in the sides of the slide and frame and a mar in the left side of the frame below the slide release. The serrations on the small parts and slide are sharp and the knurling on the hammer shows light wear. The grip screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Very Good Plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly, and the pistol has both a grip safety and a manual safety. This pistol does not have a magazine disconnect. The trigger breaks crisply and the slide is tight to the frame. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one blued 7 round magazine and a wide serrated trigger shoe. The floorplate on the magazine is marked “COLT” and “SUPER / 38 AUTO”. The magazine shows a light wear with thinning on the edges of the floorplate. The magazine is in Very Good to Fine condition.

Our Assessment: This is a Colt Super .38 semi-automatic pistol that is identical to the 1911A1 Government model except that it is chambered in .38 Super instead of .45 ACP. The .38 Super cartridge was introduced in the late 1920’s by Colt as a high pressure loading of the .38 ACP. It is capable of pushing a 130 grain bullet to 1300 fps., surpassing the 9mm Parabellum, and making it a choice for many top pistol competitors, especially in IPSC competition. This pistol is a 3rd Model, made in 1949. It has a relatively fat barrel and a Rampant Colt logo on the left side of the slide, distinguishing it from the 4th Model (which came out in 1954), which had a thinner barrel. The pistol is in about Very Good Plus condition with about 85% of its original finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling, but has a few small spots of extremely light erosion near the muzzle. The pre-70 Series Colts were known to have a great out of the box action and were favored by gunsmiths in the 1970’s and 80’s for creating custom pistols as they had less work to do than if starting with a Series 70 or 80 pistol. This pistol can be used for home protection, but will make an outstanding pistol for Combat Pistol matches at your local range. However, all of the pre-70 series Super .38’s are collectible, and this early 3rd Model with its nice finish is sure to catch the eye of the collectors, who we expect to price it out of reach of the shooters.

Colt 1911A1 1911-A1 3rd Model, Blue 5” SA Semi-Automatic Target Pistol, MFD 1949 C&R
Colt 1911A1 1911-A1 3rd Model, Blue 5” SA Semi-Automatic Target Pistol, MFD 1949 C&R