Manufactured in 1929 at the very beginning of the Super 38's introductory year. Taking the tested and proven design of the Colt Government Model and configuring it to fire a high-velocity cartridge with a flat trajectory and impressive muzzle energy, the Super 38 was marketed to law enforcement on the basis of it's ability to punch through auto bodies and the available body armor of the day. While the introduction of the 357 Magnum revolver stole some of the Super 38's thunder, the design found a new life in foreign markets where legal restrictions of "military" weapons and ammunition made it one of the best defensive packages available to civilians, and has seen a renaissance with the rise of competitive "Practical" shooting. Fixed sights, with the two line Colt address and patent dates on the left side of the slide, a matching serial number beneath the firing pin stop, and "COLT/SUPER .38/AUTOMATIC" on the right next to the Rampant Colt. The trigger guard is marked "1/VP" on the left and "20" on the right, with the serial number on the right side of the frame, a short milled trigger, wide checkered hammer, long grip safety, and checkered slide stop, thumb safety and arched mainspring housing. Included with the pistol is a Colt "black" box, faintly numbered "761" (possibly original) on the underside and bearing the proper blue and white "COLT AUTOMATIC/PISTOL SUPER .38" label on the end, bilingual advertising label inside the lid and trade mark chart inside the bottom, with a paper wrapped bore brush and an instruction sheet.

Excellent with 95% plus original high polish Colt blue finish, showing the very beginnings of a gray patina on the grip straps, light wear along the edges, particularly the front of the slide, and a thin and shallow takedown line below the slide stop. The grips are excellent, with a few light dings on the otherwise crisp checkering. The box is fair, with wear concentrated along the edges, a few scuffs and tears on the labels, and mild rubbing and staining on the interior. Mechanically excellent. A top-quality sample of the very beginning of Super 38 production, which would be a boon to any advanced Colt or American handgun collection.