1st YEAR! Colt Super .38 Automatic 1911A1 1911-A1 Blue 5” SA Semi-Automatic Pistol & Box, 1929 C&R

SOLD FOR $14,275.00
LSB#: 180522TP09

Make: Colt

Model: Super .38 Automatic, 1^st Model

Serial Number: 389

Year of Manufacture: 1929 (1^st Year of Production)

Caliber: .38 Super

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Markings: The right side of the slide is marked “COLT”, “SUPER .38 / AUTOMATIC” and with a Rampant Colt logo. 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 left front of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP in a triangle and “1”. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “20”. The right side of the frame above the trigger is marked “389”.

Barrel Length: 5”

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

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut. The checkering shows extremely light wear without mars. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: This pistol is blued. The mainspring housing and the front face of the trigger are 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 99+% of its metal finish. There is minor thinning on the front edges of the slide and frame and a few very light marks in the left side of the slide and frame. There is a small bruise at the left rear bottom corner of the slide. The mainspring housing knurling shows light wear and there is moderate wear in the knurling at the back edge of the hammer spur. The slide serrations and the knurling on the other small parts are sharp. The grip screws are sharp and the markings are crisp. Overall, this pistol rates in about Outstanding condition.

Mechanics: The trigger pull is 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 with the top third “In The White”. The floorplate is marked “COLT” and “SUPER / 38 AUTO.”. There is minimal wear in the body and a few tiny spots of surface frosting on the floorplate. The magazine is in about Excellent condition. The pistol also comes with its original brown cardboard box. One end panel has a green factory label marked with the correct make and model of this pistol, and the serial number of this pistol is written in pencil on the bottom of the box. The inside of the lid has a white label marked in English and Spanish, and the inside of the bottom of the box has a white label showing the different trademarks and names used on Colt pistols and revolvers. Please see our pictures for more information. The top of the box is hinged to the bottom section with a cloth hinge. The paper covering over the hinge is torn, but the hinge itself is intact. The top rear edge of the lid is torn on the left side and there is finish loss on the corners of the box. The inside shows abrasions from the hammer. The box is in about Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: The .38 Super cartridge was first introduced by Colt in 1929 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 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. This Super .38 pistol was made in 1929, the first year of production and has a three digit serial number. This pistol is in Outstanding condition with about 99+% of its original metal finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion and the slide is tight on the frame. To complete the package for the discerning collector, the pistol comes with its original factory box. The Super .38 pistols are highly prized by collectors and one in this nice of a condition with its outstanding finish and original box is going to have the collectors standing in line to bid.

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.