OVERVIEW:
Certainly, one of the most significant US Martial Colt 1911’s to be recently discovered and undoubtedly the most important example that will be offered for sale this year, we have a Historic U.S. Military issued 1938 production Colt Model 1911a1 U.S. Army Service Pistol. This pistol is factory original and totally matching which is HUGE!!! 1938 was the lowest production year for the Government Contract pistols with only 1,296 being procured. This pistol, serial #713645 was shipped by Colt’s on August 15, 1938 to the Springfield Armory in a shipment of 246 guns. This was the final shipment to the Armory by Colt in 1938, AND IN FACT, THIS IS BY SERIAL NUMBER, THE LAST AND FINAL PISTOL IN THAT SHIPMENT AND INDEED IN 1938!!!. It is the 1938 tail end Charlie!
PERSPECTIVE ON RARITY:
Of the 1,296 Government contract 1911a1’s accepted in 1938 only 25 have surfaced and are known to collectors. This makes the 26th. Of that 25, 15 are not factory original matching pistols, only 10 are known to be correct and those in varying states of preservation. It is no understatement or puffery to claim that this is in fact, one of the most significant 1938 production example known and its desirability to an advanced U.S. Martial Pistol collector cannot be understated. The opportunity to be the owner and caretaker of this important piece of history will be a major point of prestige to the new owner. The famous authority on the 1911’s the late Charles Clawson considered the 1938 Colt to be rarer and more significant than a Singer made Pistol.
THE PISTOL:
In 97% condition the pistol is totally matching frame to slide, with all of the factory original parts it left Hartford with. The bore bore is excellent. Thye barrel is correctly small G marked with a bright upper chamber. The slide is of course factory matching by serial number to the frame. There is a slight roughness to the left side trigger cutout on the frame but its the only defect in the overall condition of the piece. It is substantially nicer in condition than the previous example that we sold a few years back. More importantly is the fact that this is the final pistol in the 1938 Government contract, which from our perspective is a HUGE plus.
ON OFFER:
PRICE ON REQUEST. Please contact Brett at Brett@pre98.com / 919 633-0031 or Scotty at Scott@pre98.com / 703 628-5862
