This is a fabulous example of a super rare original Colt Government Model, semi-automatic pistol, chambered in the very desirable "Colt 38 Super Automatic" cartridge, that was personally owned by the World Renowned Ed McGivern the "Fastest Shooter Alive". It is accompanied by a Colt factory letter dated July 1982, verifying this as a "1" gun shipment directly to E. McGivern, Great Falls Montana. As we all know Ed McGivern was one of the greatest quick draw, rapid or time fire pistols shots in the U.S. His book "Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting" was certainly a hallmark of his career which spanned over 25 years, from the early 1930s until the time of his death, in Dec 1957. At the time of his death he held the worlds record for the fast timed shot of "5 shots" from a Smith & Wesson revolver in "2/5th of a second". Twice he fired 5-shots in "9/20ths of a second from 20 feet, that could be covered by a half-dollar. He is also credited as having fired 5-shots from 2 revolvers (one in each hand) with a time of 1 and 1/5th seconds with all ten shots inside a playing card. He was not only a fantastic pistol shot he was also a firearms expert testifying in 37 trials that involved various firearms. He help set up some of the pistol training programs for the FBI and well as several other Police Departments. His primary pistols were either Smith & Wesson or Colt revolvers however later in his career he began shooting the various Colt semi-automatic pistols. At the time of his death all of his pistols were given to the National Rifle Association and are on display in the NRA museum except for this specific pistol which was missing form his collection and was written up in an article in the "American Rifleman" in Sept 1994. This specific pistol was shipped in May 1953 and is documented as having been converted to shoot "38 Spl wadcutter" cartridges by Lt. Peters of the El.Paso, Texas Police Dept. The Super 38 pistol cartridge was originally developed in 1929 and was basically the old Colt 38 Auto cartridge, with a heavier more robust powder charge. The right side of the slide is marked with the one-line address and the left side is marked "COLT SUPER .38 / AUTOMATIC" followed by the Rampant Colt. The lower left side of the trigger guard bow is marked with the Colt triangle "VP" proof, "R" on the upper front. This pistol barrel is marked "COLT SUPER 38 AUTO". It features a cutdown target blade front with a small copper insert, located on the back side of the sight to act as a sighting disc and "Micro" adjustable target rear sight. It has the standard serrated trigger, slide stop, thumb safety, checkered hammer spur and arched mainspring housing. It is fitted with a wonderful set of original "ROPER" right handed target grips with the large raised thumb rest, checkered panel in the center of each grip with a flared base to give your hand some support. It is complete with "3" magazine total. As noted this wonderful and exceptionally rare pistol is accompanied by a Colt factory letter and numerous other supporting documents and shooting articles about Ed McGivern and his fabulous career.

Very fine with 95% of the original Colt blue finish overall as custom modified, (noted above) with only minor edge and high spot wear with thinning of the blue finish on the front grip strap from handling and shooting. The Roper grips are also in excellent condition with nice shape distinct checkering on both sides. This pistol is probably the "only" personally owned "Ed McGivern" pistol for sale today as most of his other pistols are in museums. A scarce Colt semi-automatic pistol with fabulous history.