This Old Gun: Pre-War Colt National Match

This feature article, “I Have This Old Gun: Colt National Match," appeared originally in the September 2005 issue of American Rifleman. To subscribe to the magazine, visit the NRA membership page and select American Rifleman as your member magazine.

I recently received an inquiry regarding an interesting variant of the ever-popular Government Model pistol. This particular one is a pre-World War II Colt M1911 pattern semi-automatic .45 ACP pistol with adjustable target sights marked “National Match.” The pistol is in very good condition and appears to have never been refinished. The serial number has a C prefix, and is in the 183,000 range.

These Pre-War National Match pistols were similar to the early Civilian Models and share the C serial number prefix. It was a special-production item from 1933 to 1941 and features a honed action and match-grade barrel. It was offered with either fixed sights or adjustable sights, and the latter sells for 150 to 200 percent more than what the fixed-sight variant will bring. These early examples made before World War II bring several times the price of post-war National Match models.

GUN: Pre-War National Match Colt Government Model
CONDITION: 98-percent original finish

—Jim Supica