Make: Colt

Model: Super .38 Automatic

Serial Number: 6300

Year of Manufacture: 1930

Caliber: .38 Super

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5", post-war B-marked "fat" barrel.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a thick, rounded bladed fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a square notched sight that is dovetailed into the top of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered wood. There are light tool marks around the screws. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The slide is serial-matched to the frame. The barrel and bushing are not original to the gun.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 9/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges, more notable at the front of the slide. There is light handling wear in the grip areas, most notable on the mainspring housing. There are some scattered minor nicks and small scratches. There is some scuffing, most notable on the frontstrap. There is infrequent very minor surface oxidation, mostly on the top of the slide and in the grip areas. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as not parts-original.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one two-tone nine round magazine and a snap-cap.

Our Assessment: The .38 Super cartridge was first introduced by Colt in 1929 as a higher pressure loading of the .38 ACP. It is capable of driving a 115 gr. bullet to nearly 1400 fps., producing almost 500 ft-lbs. of energy. This is not quite up to the .357 Magnum, but was still capable of penetrating body armor and automobile bodies. Today, the cartridge is favored by many top pistol match competitors for its ability to make "Major" category with a lighter bullet offering less felt recoil than that produced from a .45 ACP round. Colt first introduced the round in its 1911A1 frame, making it basically the same as the Government Model except for the caliber. The 1911 pistol had already gained a reputation as a highly reliable pistol during WWI, Colt saw no reason not to capitalize on that reputation with a new caliber offering.

This Super .38 pistol was made in 1930, quite early in production. This pistol is in Very Good condition with about 85% of its original metal finish remaining. It has had the barrel and bushing replaced with a post-war "fat" barrel and has been equipped with an attractive set of aftermarket grips. The bore is in good shape and the mechanics are still spot-on. Of particular interest for the collectors, the slide is serial-matched to the frame. The Super .38 pistols are highly prized by collectors and this one should be no exception. Please see our photos and good luck!