Lot 1245

Pre-WWII Factory Nickel Colt Super .38 Semi-Automatic Pistol

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Pre-WWII Factory Nickel Colt Super .38 Semi-Automatic Pistol

Estimate: $8,500 - $13,000

Current Bid: $7,500

(1 Bid)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Rare Documented Factory Nickel Plated Pre-World War II Philippines Shipped Colt Super .38 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter Manufactured in 1937, this is an exceptional example of a factory nickel plated Colt Super .38 pistol that is documented as shipped to the Philippines just a few years before the devastating Japanese invasion of the islands in December of 1941. These Super .38 pistols were first introduced to the public at the August 1928 Camp Perry National Matches and were available for purchase by the start of 1929. Douglas Sheldon notes in "Colt's Super .38" that fewer than 900 nickel plated pre-World War II Super .38s were located in the ledgers, accounting for only about 2% of total production. He also notes that well over half of those 900 nickeled pistols were shipped to either Mexico or the Philippines, likely due to the increased durability of the finish in humid climates. With so many of these pistols having originally shipped outside the U.S., they have become even more scarce on today's collectors market. The included factory letter with this example lists it in .38 caliber with a 5 inch barrel, nickel finish, and grips not listed when shipped to Roces & Co. in Manila, Philippines Islands on 17 November 1937 as one of three guns of its type in the shipment. The left side of the matching numbered slide is marked with the standard two-line address and patent markings, while the right side has the Colt Super .38 Automatic marking followed by the Rampant Colt. The serial number is marked on the right side of the frame. The left side of the trigger guard is marked with "P" over the Colt verified proof, while the right is marked "60". The original nickel plated barrel is marked "COLT SUPER 38 AUTO" on the lower left. It is fitted with standard blade and notch sights, a wide checkered hammer, short checkered trigger, long grip safety, an arched checkered mainspring housing, a pair of checkered walnut grips, and a correct nickeled magazine with Colt Super .38 markings on the base.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Super 38

BBL: 5 inch round

Gauge: 38 Super

Finish: nickel

Grips: walnut

Serial Number26652

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% plus of the original nickel plating with some patches of slight frosting, a few scattered patches of light flaking on the exposed barrel chamber hood and grip straps, and some scattered very light scratches. The grips are fine with mild wear, a few scattered light dings, and well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. These factory nickel plated pre-World War II Colt Super .38 pistols are exceptionally rare!

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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