Article: 1942-44 Ballester-Molina (HAFDASA)

[Badger]

You can view the page at https://www.milsurps.com/content.php...lina-(HAFDASA)

Information

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[gaucho9]

Found one of the British contract type with the B serial number and the British required proof (7 tons) on the barrel. Plus the original holster with its lanyard...

Thanks for you comments that tought me how to recognize it.

[RangeRover]

Congratulations, and glad the listing helped. You should post some photos of your B-M here on milsurps, as pictures of these .45s are in short supply on the Net. It would be great to see your holster and lanyard as well.

[alamo308]

I could not find an exactly appropriate thread or topic to post this in, so figured I'd post this here, and then move it if someone suggests another location?

Just today received my one and only Ballester-Molina, found on gunbroker.com, with all matching s/n, including the original magazine. I immediately disassembled it for cleaning, but - wow - there is nothing to clean!
I mean, except for a tiny bit of feed marks on the chamber feed ramp, and a few miniscule scattered minor scratches (surface only, not gouged into the metal), it's practically mint-clean. Kind of dry throughout, so I will apply a thin film of oil where needed.
Issue-marked "GENDARMERIA NACIONAL" next to the very strongly stamped Argentine crest. Hard-to-see, what might be a little holster wear on the very front corners of the slide. Overall, it appears to have only been fired a very few times. I suppose 'beautiful' might be too strong a word to describe it, but this really is one clean pistol! Anxious to try it at the range. Fits my M1911A-1 magazines like a glove, too.
And, BTW, I removed the perfect-condition original grip panels for safe-keeping, and replaced them with a very nice, brand-new pair of 1911A1-style wood grips with the double-diamond pattern.