Make: Colt

Model: Pre-Gold Cup National Match

Serial Number: 30114-NM

Year of Manufacture: 1968

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is an Elliason square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base pinned to the rear of the slide. The slide has a rib, serrated for glare reduction.

The .22 Conversion Unit has a blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base pinned to the rear of the slide. The slide has a rib, serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with gold-colored Colt medallions. The grips have minor handling wear with a small marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 10 out of 10.

The conversion unit bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is light handling wear in the grip areas. The slide's finish has a slight plum hue. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition.

The conversion unit retains about 90% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in scattered minor surface oxidation. The finish is thinning at some edges. The unit shows light operational wear. There are a few minor scuffs and light handling marks. Overall, the conversion unit is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol and conversion unit come in a custom wood presentation case fit for the pistol in the top hinge-lid tray and a drawer fit for the conversion unit and a two-piece wood-grain cardboard Colt Conversion Unit box. One 7-round .45 magazine and one 10-round .22 magazine are included as well as one 50-round box of Winchester Super-Match Mark IV.22 LR ammunition, one 1968 vintage 50-round box of Ball M1911 Match .45 ACP ammunition and keys for the case.

Our Assessment: In the mid-1900s the 1911 was used for all manner of pistol competitions, but the base Government model typically needed some tweaking and modification to get the best performance. In 1957, Colt introduced their Gold Cup National Match, an out-of-the-box, purpose-built target pistol with adjustable target sights, hand-fit parts, serrated grip frame and adjustable trigger. This example is from 1968, a fairly early Gold Cup made about 2 years before the pistols would actually be marked "GOLD CUP". It shows wear consistent with infrequent use over the last 57 years, retaining a great bore and strong mechanics.

The pistol comes with a handsome display case fit for the pistol and a .22 Conversion Unit that shares the same aesthetic as the pistol. The set will make a wonderful display in any collection and should prove to be great fun on the range. Please see our photos and good luck!