Lot 1566: World War II Era Colt Super Match .38 Pistol with British Proofs

This is a solid representative example of a World War II Era Colt Super Match semi-automatic pistol that was manufactured in 1940. These .38 Super Match pistols were manufactured concurrently with the standard Colt .38 Supers, except they featured a deluxe, hand honed action, Stevens adjustable rear sight (now absent), checkered match trigger with a hand polished super smooth trigger pull. Additionally, they received a highly polished Colt factory blued finish with all checkered grip panels. Approximately 5,000 of these special higher grade target pistols were produced in total with many being sent to Britain as part of the lend-lease program. This example, having British proofs on the frame, slide, and circled "MB" marked barrel, was most likely sent to Britain as part of that program. The right side of the matching number slide is marked "SUPER MATCH/COLT SUPER .38/AUTOMATIC" followed by the Rampant Colt motif. The opposite side of the slide has Colt's address marking above the patent dates. The upper left front of the trigger guard is marked with "P/VP". The right side is marked "69". Fitted with replacement blade and non-factory rear high notch non-adjustable sights, polished chamber, checkered slide lock, thumb safety, arched checkered mainspring housing, checkered walnut grips, and a wide checkered hammer. The original Swartz firing pin safety hardware remains installed. It is complete with a full-blue magazine marked "COLT SUPER/38 AUTO" on the base plate. Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection

Very fine, retains 85% of the original blue with numerous scattered dings and scratches, the balance having thinned to a mostly smooth grey patina, primarily on edges, the trigger guard, and grip straps, and some scattered light pitting. The grips are fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches, and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.