Make: Colt

Model: National Match

Serial Number: C183194

Year of Manufacture: Likely produced 1936, shipped January 7, 1937

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5”, the left link lug is marked "MB" in circle, the left of the chamber is marked "COLT 45 AUTO MATCH". 

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a 0.08" thick blade fixed to the front of the slide; the sight is not original to the slide. The rear sight is a 0.115" square-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut panels. The grips have even light handling wear, slightly more notable at the top and bottom edges. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

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

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and some minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There is some other scattered light wear. There is some light surface erosion, mostly toward the top-front of the slide. There is some light surface oxidation. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some polishing on the barrel, most notable on the bottom of the chamber, the front of the link, and the front of the lugs. 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.

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

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one two tone 7-round magazine and a Colt Archives factory letter. The letter indicates that this pistol shipped January 7, 1937 to Shapleigh Hardware Company in St. Louis, Missouri as one of five guns of the same 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; at that time it was re-branded as the Gold Cup National Match. 

This factory lettered pre-War Colt National Match Government Model was shipped in early 1937 and is in Very Good condition. The pistol shows wear consistent with its intended use and has been equipped with a later production .08" front sight. The letter indicates the shipping destination; it was sent to Shapleigh Hardware in St. Louis with four other pistols of the same type in the shipment. It features a 5” barrel marked “MB” in a circle on the left lug, about 80% of its original finish, a decent bore and strong mechanics. Any pre-War National Match pistols are highly prized by collectors. This example will take a prized place in a Colt automatics collection.