Lot 188

Early Production Pre-WWII Colt Super .38 Semi-Automatic Pistol

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Early Production Pre-WWII Colt Super .38 Semi-Automatic Pistol

Estimate: $4,500 - $6,500

Starting Bid: $4,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Very Early Production Three-Digit Serial Number Pre-World War II Colt Super .38 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter Manufactured in 1929, the second year of production, this is a very fine example of Colt's Super .38 pistol. These Super .38 pistols were first shown to the public at the August 1928 Camp Perry National Matches, with very few having been produced that year, and they were available for purchase by the start of 1929. The included factory letter confirms the configuration with the grips not listed, as well as shipment to Union Hardware & Manufacturing Co. in Los Angeles, California, on 23 February 1929 as the only gun of its type in the shipment. The left side of the matching numbered slide is marked with the two-line address and patent dates, while the right side bears the model/caliber marking along with the Rampant Colt. The early production three-digit serial number is on the right of the frame. The left of the trigger guard is marked "1" over "VP", and the right is marked "20". The blued barrel has a polished chamber hood and is unmarked. It is fitted with blade front and notch rear sights, wide checkered hammer, long grip safety, arched checkered mainspring housing, checkered walnut grips, and a two-tone .38 Super Auto magazine.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Super 38

BBL: 5 inch round

Gauge: 38 Super

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial Number180

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Fine, retains 70% plus of the original blue finish with the balance mostly grey patina in the form of mild handling and holster type wear, a couple patches of very light pitting, and a few scattered minor scratches. The grips are also fine with a few minor blemishes in the otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000