This is an excellent example of a very scarce "US" marked mid-range National Match M1911 style pistol in 38 Special, (not 38 Super) but actually 38 Special. This series of semi-automatic pistol, was developed in 1959/60 as a way to shoot the ever popular and accurate 38 Special wad-cutter target bullets from a semi-automatic pistol. This actual pistol is based on the highly refined M1911A1 Colt National match pistols that has the factory match improvements, such as reduced tolerances for a nice tight slide to frame fit, with a Colt NM marked barrel in 38 Special, extended national match trigger with trigger stop, lowered ejection port and the later style Gold Cup adjustable rear sight with the target front sight. The left side of the slide is marked in two blocks as follows; "NATIONAL MATCH/ COLT /AUTOMATIC 38 SPECIAL MID RANGE". With the right side of the slide marked "COLT'S PAT. F.A. MFG.CO. HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A". The barrel is marked on top of the chamber area with "COLT 38 SPEC. NM/ MKIII". The right side of the frame marked behind the slide stop pin, "US"/3922-MR". The serial number of this pistol puts the production around 1964. Currently, it is fitted with a set of original checkered walnut grips with the Colt Gold medallion at the top of each grip panel. It is estimated that less that 8000 total of this model were produced from 1960 to 1970, with very few noted as actually being produced in 1964. These pre-series 70 pistols have the high polished blue finish on the flats with the non-glare matte blue finish on the top of the slide, the grip straps and underside of the frame. It is complete with one original magazine marked "COLT/ 38 SPEC" on the floor plate.

Excellent overall with 95% of the original blue finish overall with wear on the edges and high spots overall. The grips are also in excellent condition with nice checkering with only minor handling marks. A excellent example of a very scarce and desirable Colt M1911A1, pre-series 70, 38 Special National Match Mid-Range semi-automatic pistol.