Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this historic Pre-WWII semi-automatic pistol for auction today; this is the Colt National Match!
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The slide of this firearm is stamped "PRESENTED TO / -WALTER T. SCHROEDER- / BY MEMBERS OF / U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT / HONOLULU T.H. / CHRISTMAS 1937."
The Pre-War National Match pistols, resembling the early Civilian Models and identified by the C serial number prefix, were a limited-production series manufactured from 1933 to 1941. They distinguished themselves with finely tuned actions and match-grade barrels and were available with either fixed or adjustable sights. These early models, produced before World War II, fetch prices several times higher than their post-war National Match counterparts.
This example features the King patridge-style front sight with a red reflector, King white outline drift adjustable rear sight, and a King barrel bushing.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: National Match Pre-WWII
Serial: C182871
Date of Manufacture: 1936
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: King Patridge Style Front with Red Reflector and King White Outline Drift Adjustable Rear
Stock/Grips: Fully Checkered Walnut Panels
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The right side of the slide is stamped "NATIONAL MATCH COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE .45 (Rampant Colt Logo)." The top of the slide is stamped "PRESENTED TO / -WALTER T. SCHROEDER- / BY MEMBERS OF / U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT / HONOLULU T.H. / CHRISTMAS 1937."
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt Government Model was first introduced in 1912 and proved to be quite successful. After the end of World War I, many veterans were comfortable with the large .45 Auto cartridge and N.R.A.-sponsored shooting matches that became increasingly popular. However, shooting bulls-eye targets at fixed ranges required a level of accuracy that was often lacking in the standard Government Model. Early gunsmiths like Pachmayr and Buchanan began fitting better sights and barrels to improve the model's performance. Colt started offering specially selected "Match Barrels" that were marked with a circled MB on the left lug. A review of the Colt shipping records from the 1920s shows that many custom-ordered guns had tweaked trigger pulls, match barrels, and wider sights to improve functionality. Finally, in January 1932, the Colt catalog listed the first National Match model with "a hand-honed velvet smooth target action-selected 'Match' barrel-and 'Patridge' type sights." In 1935, the Stevens adjustable rear sight became the standard, even though their use was prohibited in the competitive matches of the day.
The number of National Match pistols produced is unknown. They were not given a special serial number or identified in the production ledgers. They were randomly placed in the serial number range from C162000 (1932) to C215083 (1940), which covers about 53,000 pistols. However, around 25,000 pistols were shipped overseas, and 6,575 were transferred to Colt's military contract in 1942, leaving roughly 21,500 pistols available for the American market. Timothy J. Mullin, author of "American Beauty, The Prewar Colt National Match Government Model Pistol," estimated that fewer than 1,500 National Match pistols were made but located less than 150 examples before publishing his book in 1999. Charles W. Clawson, author of "Colt .45 Government Models (Commercial Series)," put the estimate at fewer than 3,000. At the time, a standard Government Model cost $36.75, and a National Match cost $40.75. During the Depression, 90% of the population made less than $5,000 yearly, and probably half of those employed made less than $2,500 yearly.
For handgun aficionados, the venerable Colt National Match stands as the ultimate prize. As both a precision instrument and a dependable firearm, it epitomized the pinnacle of semiautomatic service pistols during its era, laying the foundation for subsequent generations of similar weapons. Revered for its superb craftsmanship, it rightfully earns the accolade of "American Beauty," a title bestowed upon it by TJ Mullin, symbolizing its enduring status as an icon of American firearm excellence.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: National Match Pre-WWII
Serial: C182871
Date of Manufacture: 1936
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: King Patridge Style Front with Red Reflector and King White Outline Drift Adjustable Rear
Stock/Grips: Fully Checkered Walnut Panels
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The right side of the slide is stamped "NATIONAL MATCH COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE .45 (Rampant Colt Logo)." The top of the slide is stamped "PRESENTED TO / -WALTER T. SCHROEDER- / BY MEMBERS OF / U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT / HONOLULU T.H. / CHRISTMAS 1937."
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt Government Model was first introduced in 1912 and proved to be quite successful. After the end of World War I, many veterans were comfortable with the large .45 Auto cartridge and N.R.A.-sponsored shooting matches that became increasingly popular. However, shooting bulls-eye targets at fixed ranges required a level of accuracy that was often lacking in the standard Government Model. Early gunsmiths like Pachmayr and Buchanan began fitting better sights and barrels to improve the model's performance. Colt started offering specially selected "Match Barrels" that were marked with a circled MB on the left lug. A review of the Colt shipping records from the 1920s shows that many custom-ordered guns had tweaked trigger pulls, match barrels, and wider sights to improve functionality. Finally, in January 1932, the Colt catalog listed the first National Match model with "a hand-honed velvet smooth target action-selected 'Match' barrel-and 'Patridge' type sights." In 1935, the Stevens adjustable rear sight became the standard, even though their use was prohibited in the competitive matches of the day.
The number of National Match pistols produced is unknown. They were not given a special serial number or identified in the production ledgers. They were randomly placed in the serial number range from C162000 (1932) to C215083 (1940), which covers about 53,000 pistols. However, around 25,000 pistols were shipped overseas, and 6,575 were transferred to Colt's military contract in 1942, leaving roughly 21,500 pistols available for the American market. Timothy J. Mullin, author of "American Beauty, The Prewar Colt National Match Government Model Pistol," estimated that fewer than 1,500 National Match pistols were made but located less than 150 examples before publishing his book in 1999. Charles W. Clawson, author of "Colt .45 Government Models (Commercial Series)," put the estimate at fewer than 3,000. At the time, a standard Government Model cost $36.75, and a National Match cost $40.75. During the Depression, 90% of the population made less than $5,000 yearly, and probably half of those employed made less than $2,500 yearly.
For handgun aficionados, the venerable Colt National Match stands as the ultimate prize. As both a precision instrument and a dependable firearm, it epitomized the pinnacle of semiautomatic service pistols during its era, laying the foundation for subsequent generations of similar weapons. Revered for its superb craftsmanship, it rightfully earns the accolade of "American Beauty," a title bestowed upon it by TJ Mullin, symbolizing its enduring status as an icon of American firearm excellence.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
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Payment Details
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Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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