[heckinohio]

I have located for sale locally a three digit serial Colt #31x Super .38. Owner feels it to be one of 2000 (???) ordered for military evaluation, thus making it extremely rare. Only referrence to military I can locate is 32000 plus serial numbers.

Does anyone know how we can acertain whether this is just a low # commercial or part of a mil. contract or evaluation group????

 

[wetwilly]

http://proofhouse.com/colt/
Only place I could find. You will need to scroll down to colt automatic pistols and the 38 super line.
You may find this link interesting too.
http://books.google.com/books?id=eW...ts=35c1XUhG2c&sig=EeZCBcWKIg4TVfA2nZLGl8Cq7bI

 

[KABAR2]

You may want to drop the fellow who runs this site a line he may have the answers.

http://www.coltautos.com/default.asp

 

[heckinohio]

Thanx, guys!!!!!!!! I got the info I wanted. There were 376 guns ordered in 1945 or so, some went to the Pentagon, other to Va. All had US inspector marks on. Serial range was over 36,000...........

 

[KABAR2]

I believe some of these went to the OSS if I'm not mistaken.

 

[heckinohio]

Yes, 356 pistols went to OSS, Fowler Bld, Rosalyn, VA., July 20, 1945.

 

[Kali Komrade]

Uh...

Uh... Okay hey Heck...
If you do get that gun... My advice is do not chamber 38 super ammunition in the firearm... The gun may have the chamber dimensions of the 38 super but probibly is a 38 automatic colt pistol (38acp)... different chamber pressures and I understand the brass differs a bit in thickness but not overall dimensions... From what I understand you can used 38acp cases in a 38super but they advise not to run 38super in a 38acp gun...

 

[heckinohio]

Interesting.............. I have a bunch of '38 ACP' but no '.38 Super' ammo. I got the '.38 ACP to use in a FA Star pistol I have, but it broke the extractor. Star slide is marked 'Cal. 9mm.38'.. Kind of odd as it is really 9 BB which is almost the same as '.38 ACP', there being a minor difference in the rim (enough to break my extractor!!!!).

I cant imagine Colt marking a gun for a caliber that it wouldnt be capable of handling. I think the '.38 ACP' guns were much earlier, like 1910???

There are sites dedicated to this series of Colts (all called M-1911). They did mention accuracy problems caused by Colts headspacing on the very small rim rather than the case mouth. They changed toward the end of production. This gun was made in the first year. I will ask on their forum..........

 

[Kali Komrade]

True...

True... Your probibly right I didn't know what year the pistol you were talking about was manufactured... Just wanted to toss that in there... Just in case...

 

[heckinohio]

I am going to try for a meeting with the Colt .38 tomorrow. Same guy has a Red 9 'Broom rig and an Artillery Luger rig. I am already losing interest in the Colt.......