Guns International #: 103081237
Seller's Inventory #: 14542

Category - Colt Pistols - 1911 Pistols

Category
Colt Pistols
1911 Pistols

Colt Government Model National Match, .45acp with Letter

Description:
Colt Government Model National Match – .45 ACP (1938)
Outstanding Pre-War Example with Factory Letter and Provenance
This is an exceptional and scarce example of a Colt Government Model National Match, chambered in .45 ACP and manufactured on February 18, 1938. This pistol features original checkered walnut grips, a matching-numbered slide, and the highly sought-after MB in Circle – Colt .45 Auto Match barrel. It is equipped with an adjustable rear sight and retains approximately 99% of its original blue finish. The bore is mint, showing sharp, clean rifling.
A Colt factory letter confirms this pistol was originally shipped to the Smith Winchester Company in Jackson, Michigan, further enhancing its historical value and collector appeal.
Historical Background
The Colt National Match pistols were introduced in the 1930s as precision-tuned versions of the standard Government Model, specifically built to meet the demands of competitive shooters in the growing sport of bullseye and National Match competition. These pistols received factory-selected barrels, hand-fitted slides and frames, improved triggers, and target sights—making them some of the finest production target pistols of their time.
This particular example, built in early 1938, comes from a key period in Colt’s production just before World War II, when the company was at the height of its craftsmanship. The “MB in circle” marking on the barrel identifies it as a factory-selected Match Barrel, a hallmark of the National Match line that ensured superior accuracy. These barrels were often hand-fitted and test-fired at the factory.
The adjustable rear sight further reflects the gun’s competition pedigree, and the overall build quality illustrates Colt’s dedication to excellence prior to wartime mass production.
Surviving examples in this condition—complete with matching numbers, correct parts, and documentation—are increasingly hard to find. With nearly all of its original finish and a pristine bore, this 1938 Colt National Match is not just a firearm, but a true piece of American shooting and manufacturing history.

Curio/Relic: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .45 ACP (.45 Auto)
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1911 National Match

Price: $15,950.00
Shipping: $55.00
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