Colt Super Match .38 Automatic Adjustable Sight Blue 5” SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1937 C&R

SOLD FOR $15,020.00
LSB#: 180522TP14

Make: Colt

Model: Super Match .38 Automatic

Serial Number: 27777

Year of Manufacture: 1937 (Proof House)

Caliber: .38 Super

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

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 “SUPER MATCH”, “COLT”, “SUPER .38 / AUTOMATIC” and with a Rampant Colt logo. The left front of the trigger guard is marked “P” and with a “VP in a triangle. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “80”. The right side of the frame above the trigger is marked “27777”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade that is fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a square notched target sight that is adjustable for windage and elevation, and dovetailed into the top of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut. The checkering shows extremely light wear with a bruise at the front of the left grip. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: This pistol is blued. The mainspring housing is knurled.

Finish Originality: The finish is original.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 94% of its metal finish. There is thinning on the front edges of the slide and frame, the bottom edge of the grip safety, the mainspring housing and the front strap. There are a few light scratches at the front left edge of the slide, a few light handling marks in the surfaces, and very light thinning in the top of the slide.  The serrations on the slide and the knurling on the small parts are sharp. The mainspring knurling shows light to moderate wear. The grip screws are sharp and the markings are clear.  Overall, this pistol rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The trigger pull is light and crisp. The slide is tight on the frame. The action functions correctly. We have not fired 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 nine round magazine. The body is blued with the top half “In The White” and the floorplate has a blued finish and is marked “COLT” and “SUPER / 38 AUTO.”. There is minimal wear in the body and a few tiny marks in the front edge of the floorplate. The magazine is in about Excellent condition.

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 to nearly 1400 fps., producing almost 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. Today, the cartridge is favored by many top pistol match competitors for its ability to make “Major” category with a lighter bullet offering less felt recoil than that produced with 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 the caliber. 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. Colt followed this with a Super Match model that had a hand honed action and match grade barrel. According to the Blue Book of Gun Values, 998 of these were made with fixed sights and 2911 had adjustable sights. This adjustable sight Super Match model was made in 1937. The pistol is in about Fine condition with 94% of its original finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, and the slide is tight on the frame. This is a beautiful and rare pistol that is sure to attract the attention of the collectors out there. Please be sure to check out our pictures!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible handgun CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California and CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.