Make: Colt

Model: Government Model National Match

Serial Number: C179219

Year of Manufacture: 1935, Shipped October 11.

Caliber: .45 ACP

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

Barrel Length: 5"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a 0.10" thick round blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a flat-top square-notch sight dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece full-checkered walnut. The grips show minor handling wear with only a few light marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original, the slide is serial-matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some scattered stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8+/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are a few scattered minor marks. There is a light "idiot mark" under the slide stop on the left of the frame and on the left slide flat above the slide stop notch. The grip areas show light handling wear. There are some tiny freckles of minor oxidation. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-Fine 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 two-tone 7-round Colt magazine and a Colt Archives letter. The letter indicates that this pistol shipped October 11, 1935 to Rohde-Spencer in Chicago, IL as the only gun of its type in the shipment.

Our Assessment: Colt's National Match pistols were first advertised as a factory option in 1932, with a prototype having been sent to the Camp Perry matches in 1930. The National Match pistol was essentially a factory target pistol built on the Government Model frame, but with a hand-honed action, match barrel, and Patridge sight. Production would be continued until 1942 and resumed in 1957 when it was re-branded as the Gold Cup National Match.

This pre-War Colt National Match Government Model was made in 1935 and is in quite nice condition for its age. It features a 5" barrel marked "MB" in a circle on the left lug and "COLT 45 AUTO MATCH" above the lug. The pistol retains about 92% of its original blued finish, a good bore and strong mechanics. It was produced when Colt was still serial-marking the slides, so it is nice to know that the slide is original to the frame. Any pre-War National Match pistols are highly prized by collectors. This example will be a great addition to any collection and should still prove to be a very capable target pistol. Please see our photos and good luck!