Make: Colt
Model: Super Match .38 Automatic
Serial Number: 34430
Year of Manufacture: 1939
Caliber: .38 Super
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked "COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PAT’D APR.20,1897. SEPT.9,1902. DEC.19,1905. FEB.14,1911. AUG.19.1913". The right side of the slide is marked "SUPER MATCH", "COLT", "SUPER .38 / AUTOMATIC" and with a Rampant Colt logo. The left front of the trigger guard is marked "5" and "VP in a triangle. The right front of the trigger guard is marked "77". The right side of the frame above the trigger is marked "34430", the rear face of the slide is marked "344 / 30" under the firing pin stop. The left of the chamber is marked "COLT SUPER 38 AUTO MATCH", the left lug is marked "MB" in circle.
Barrel Length: 5"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade that is fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a Stevens square notch sight, adjustable for windage and elevation mounted to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered "Coltwood" brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the interior. The grips have only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent condition. These grips would not be correct for 1939, but given the pistol's delayed shipping, they would be correct for 1946.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore, mostly at the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There is some other scattered more minor wear. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is infrequent faint surface oxidation with a few spots of minor erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide and frame are cut for a Swartz firing pin safety, but the mechanism is not present. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one blued nine round magazine, a reproduction box and a Colt Archives letter. The letter indicates that the pistol shipped November 15, 1946 to Frank T. Budge Company in Miami Florida as one of 50 guns of the same type in the shipment.
Our Assessment: The .38 Super cartridge was first introduced by Colt in 1928 as a higher pressure loading of the .38 ACP. It is capable of driving a 115 gr. bullet to nearly 1400 fps., producing almost 500 ft-lbs. of energy. Today, the cartridge is favored by many top pistol match competitors. Colt first introduced the round in its 1911A1 frame, making it basically the same as the Government Model except for the caliber. The 1911 pistol had already gained a reputation as a reliable pistol during WWI, Colt saw no reason not to capitalize on that with a new caliber offering.
Colt followed this with a Super Match model that had a hand honed action and match grade barrel. It is estimated that fewer than 4,000 Super Match .38s were produced in total, only three quarters of these having adjustable sights. This adjustable sight Super Match model was made in 1939, but it is interesting that it hung around the factory for the entirety of WWII. The serial number, as well as the Swartz safety cuts on the slide and frame (the mechanism is not present), distinctly place it in pre-war production, but the grips and late 1946 shipping date are distinctly post-war. It is often said that "Colt never threw anything away" and Colt collectors know to "never say never". Given that this particularly scarce gun was one of 50 (fifty!) in the same shipment to one dealer in Miami, it is entirely likely that this pistol was one of the last available in the factory when the order was placed. The pistol is in Very Good condition with 85% of its original finish, a strong bore and good mechanics. This intriguing and rare pistol is sure to attract the attention of the collectors out there. Please see our photos and good luck!