Make: DGFM-FMAP
Model: 1927 Sistema Colt
Serial Number: 48334
Year of Manufacture: 1949
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic fed by Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 5"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the slide, the rear face painted white. The rear sight is a "U"-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black synthetic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the interior. The grips have even minor handling wear with only a few small marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.
Note: The top-left grip screw is seized in its bushing. Turning the screw turns the bushing in the frame.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6-7/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There is a little finish wear on the slide, most notable on the bottom edge of the right flat and on the left flat opposite the ejection port. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire 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 a single 7-round magazine with serial-matching floorplate and a leather shoulder holster with incomplete strap assembly.
Our Assessment: In 1914, the Argentine military adopted the Colt M1911 as their standard military sidearm and contracted with Colt to supply these guns. In 1923, Argentina adopted an armaments bill that would eliminate Argentine dependency on foreign arms. Under this bill, the Argentine Congress authorized a military modernization program and prepared a domestic arms industry. In accordance with the new law, an aircraft factory was established in 1927, a munitions factory in 1933, a steel mill in 1934, and a small arms factory in 1936. In 1927, the Argentine Commission for Foreign Acquisitions negotiated a contract with Colt for the manufacture of M1911A1 pistols and secured a licensing agreement for the right to manufacture these pistols using drawings, material specifications, instructions, etc. supplied by Colt. Production of the Sistema Colts began in 1927.
In 1945, a new factory was brought on-line and produced another 88,494 pistols through 1966. The Sistema Colts continued to be used in Argentina until the 1990s when they were replaced by Browning High Powers. The Sistema Colts were not Colts, but except for finish and markings, they were identical to 1911A1 pistols produced by Colt and the parts were interchangeable. Top quality steel was used in the construction, and they are known to be as tough and reliable as those made by Colt.
This pistol was made at the FMAP factory in 1949 and is a nice find for the discerning collector. Not only does it retain the majority of its original finish, it has serial-matching parts including the magazine, and does not have an import marking. The high quality of the Sistema Colts and the relatively few produced make them very collectable, and they're an interesting variant of the classic 1911 design. Please see our photos and good luck!
