1937 Super Match, in .38 super: Help please!

Brian D. · 06-14-2003, 06:27 AM

A shootin' pal of mine managed to acquire one of these, under very fortunate circumstances BTW. He has gotten a good bit of info from Colt, but there's a question or two lingering. First, a little background.This gun was special ordered thru Powell and Clement, which was a BIG gun seller in its heyday. This pistol has the match target barrel, which may have been a big deal at the time(?) It has factory-made adjustable sights. Colt acknowledges these features, but the front sight has a gold bead silver soldered in the blade, and Colt would neither confirm nor deny that as their handiwork. That's our question. Anybody know if the guns were available that way, or do you think this was done at a later time? Either way, it's a valuable model, and virtually unfired, so my friend won't let me test drive it. He's mulling over what to do with the pistol, in fact. Think I'll get him a guest pass to the Ohio Gun Coll. Ass'n show, and we'll see what the mavens there have to say. In the meantime, I'd really appreciate some input from the fine folks here, in case my pal decides to put the gun on the market in the future. Don't worry, it's outta my price range!

Brian D. · 06-14-2003, 06:45 AM

I've only looked at the gun once, so I'm taking my friend's word on this: The match barrel of this gun headspaces on the case mouth, rather than the rim(!) I thought Colt didn't make this change regarding the .38 super until WAY later? Did they build them this way on special order way back when? That was my other question, didn't remember til now, dang it!

kwill · 06-14-2003, 07:59 AM

Brian, it was not uncommon for prewar pistols to be ordered with special features including (occasionally) a gold bead front sight but it was usually noted in the ledgers and "should" have been mentioned in the letter from Colt's. (I assuming your friend has one, based on your post.) Is the rear sight a Stevens or a King's? How and where is the barrel marked? I'll be glad to help research more details, although you may already know all there is to be found. If you like, email me the details, including the serial number and I'll dig in to it.
Regards,
Kevin
kevin@kwill.com

06-14-2003, 06:27 AM	#1
Brian D. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 325	1937 Super Match, in .38 super: Help please! A shootin' pal of mine managed to acquire one of these, under very fortunate circumstances BTW. He has gotten a good bit of info from Colt, but there's a question or two lingering. First, a little background.This gun was special ordered thru Powell and Clement, which was a BIG gun seller in its heyday. This pistol has the match target barrel, which may have been a big deal at the time(?) It has factory-made adjustable sights. Colt acknowledges these features, but the front sight has a gold bead silver soldered in the blade, and Colt would neither confirm nor deny that as their handiwork. That's our question. Anybody know if the guns were available that way, or do you think this was done at a later time? Either way, it's a valuable model, and virtually unfired, so my friend won't let me test drive it. He's mulling over what to do with the pistol, in fact. Think I'll get him a guest pass to the Ohio Gun Coll. Ass'n show, and we'll see what the mavens there have to say. In the meantime, I'd really appreciate some input from the fine folks here, in case my pal decides to put the gun on the market in the future. Don't worry, it's outta my price range!

06-14-2003, 06:45 AM	#2
Brian D. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 325	Oh, one more thing... I've only looked at the gun once, so I'm taking my friend's word on this: The match barrel of this gun headspaces on the case mouth, rather than the rim(!) I thought Colt didn't make this change regarding the .38 super until WAY later? Did they build them this way on special order way back when? That was my other question, didn't remember til now, dang it!

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06-14-2003, 07:59 AM	#3
kwill Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 57	Brian, it was not uncommon for prewar pistols to be ordered with special features including (occasionally) a gold bead front sight but it was usually noted in the ledgers and "should" have been mentioned in the letter from Colt's. (I assuming your friend has one, based on your post.) Is the rear sight a Stevens or a King's? How and where is the barrel marked? I'll be glad to help research more details, although you may already know all there is to be found. If you like, email me the details, including the serial number and I'll dig in to it. Regards, Kevin kevin@kwill.com