This is a beautiful example of a very desirable pre-war Colt National Match pistol that was produced with the scarce Swartz safety. Developed circa 1938, this style of safety was very innovative for the time, adding a firing pin block inside the slide, which is disengaged when the grip safety is depressed, preventing out-of-battery or drop related discharges. Although the design did not catch on during the initial production run, similar designs were integrated into the Series 80 Government Model design. According to factory records (photocopy of 1995 Colt letter included) this pistol was shipped to Stoeger Arms of New York City on June 2nd, 1939, along with a 22LR conversion unit numbered "U549". Half-moon front and square notch flat top rear sights, with the two-line, one block address and patent dates on the left side of the slide, the "NATIONAL MATCH" legend, caliber mark and Rampant Colt on the reverse, and the matching serial number under the pin stop. The frame is "GOVERNMENT MODEL" marked, with "60" and "P/VP" on the trigger guard. The pistol is fitted with a short milled trigger, wide knurled hammer, long grip safety, checkered slide stop, thumb safety and arched mainspring housing, fully checkered grips, full blue "COLT/45 AUTO" magazine, and a "COLT 45 AUTO MATCH" barrel. The Service Model Ace conversion unit is numbered "U540", extremely close to the "U549" noted in the factory letter, with a full set of parts, a groove on the underside of the side to accommodate the Swartz device, instruction sheet and a properly labeled Colt "black box" that is hand-numbered to match inside the lid.

Excellent, with 97% plus of the original blue finish, with a small amount of spotting and handling marks overall, bright edge wear, a few thin takedown lines on the frame, and some light surface rust visible on the grip straps. The grips are also excellent, with some light scattered dings. The conversion unit shows 95% original blue, with some spotting and wear, the instructions show a number of rubs, stains and tears, and the box is rough with some old glue repairs. Mechanically excellent.