Colt 1st Mod Gold Cup National Match .38 Mid-Range Blue 5″ SA Semi-Automatic Target Pistol, 1960 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,702.00
LSB#: 
180804TP17

Make: Colt

Model: Gold Cup National Match .38 Mid-Range

Serial Number: 216-MR

Year of Manufacture: 1960 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup), First Year Production

Caliber: .38 Special Mid-Range (flush-seated wadcutter)

Action Type: Single action, Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine

Markings: The right side of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” The serial number “216-MR” is on the right side of the frame. The right of the trigger guard is marked “G”. There is a “K” and a Verified Proof mark on the forward left trigger guard bow. The left side of the slide is marked “NATIONAL / *MATCH* / COLT / AUTOMATIC / .38 SPECIAL / MID RANGE” and with a rampant colt logo. The barrel is marked “COLT .38 SPEC. N.M.”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge style blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation, pinned to the slide’s rib.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are full-checkered walnut panels with gold-colored Colt medallions. The left panel has some pooled finish along the top edge at the detent housing and the right panel has a couple of individual flattened checkers approximately 1″ from the bottom, just rear of center. Otherwise, there is no notable wear or damage. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is sharp other than where noted. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

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

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The slide and frame have some very light thinning on their leading edges. The left of the slide has a very thin scratch at the rear behind the safety notch and a few scattered very light scrapes. The top of the slide has a couple of small, light scuffs, visible mostly due to the matte-finish. The right of the slide also has a few scattered very light scrapes. The bottom of the slide and dust cover have an incomplete line of light scuffing. The frame has a few light marks on edges with light handling wear. The top of the rear sight has light wear. There is a tiny spot of wear on the edge of the thumb safety. The trigger, grip safety, hammer and barrel show light handling wear. The frontstrap and mainspring housing serrations have a few scattered light marks on their edges. The screw heads are sharp. The pin heads are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions properly. The slide has very little play to the frame. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, at thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 5-round first-model magazine. The magazine shows light operational wear with intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good-Fine condition.

Our Assessment: The Gold Cup National Match .38 Mid-Range was designed from the ground up for ISSF matches. Production started at 100-MR, making this the 117th to come off the line. It has the features of the first-model Mid-Range including chamfered recoil spring plug and matching chamfered bushing, chamber with no headspace shoulder at the front, with the cartridge headspacing on the rim of the case at the top of the chamber, with the bottom unsupported where the barrel is chamfered for the feed-ramp, and non-Elliason adjustable rear sight. It also comes with a first-model magazine with its higher feed-cut. The pistol is in about Fine-plus condition with about 96% of its finish remaining, a bright bore and strong mechanics. While many of these features would be changed later to improve the design, Charles Clawson notes in “Colt .45 Government Models” that “Production of these first two models was extremely limited, and are ranked among the rarest postwar pistols” (P101″). In its high condition and with its rarity, this would be a fantastic addition to a Colt collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

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

The DOM is January 11, 1961.

Colt 1st Mod Gold Cup National Match .38 Mid-Range Blue 5" SA Semi-Automatic Target Pistol, 1960 C&R
Colt 1st Mod Gold Cup National Match .38 Mid-Range
Blue 5″ SA Semi-Automatic Target Pistol, 1960 C&R