1915 Argentine Army Contract Colt Government Model

[jmoore]

The first .45 ACPs for the Argentine Army were shiped in mid-1915. A block of 1000 pistols with sequential serial numbers, starting with 20000. (Or 20001, I forget!) This very worn and generally tired example was marked as issue number 109 on the top of the slide, which corresponds to the last three digits of the Colt serial number.

As it sits now it has had the grip safety and slide stop replaced with slightly later ("A1" style) Colt commercial parts, probably by the Argentines. The muzzle end of the slide is damaged, resulting in the replacement of the front sight as well. It appears to be a later type of Colt sight as well, but it was filed down slightly on the sides, probably to keep it from over filling the rear sight notch. Bushing and barrel are both newer appearing than the rest of the pistol.

But the real dramas lie underneath. I'm guessing this pistol was shot until the recoil spring failed entirely! The slide is so badly peened at the real of the dust cover that the current barrel needed to have the sides of the lower lug filed down to pass through the slide. In addition, there's an odd bit of damage on the outer rear edge of the dust cover- possibly where a piece of broken recoil spring impacted?

Regardless, the pistol still functions and escaped refinish. Which are the two most likely reasons it's being presented here. Basically it's an example of how tough this design really is.




The wear and general finish of the frame and slide look fairly different, but the numbers match and conditions internally are consistant.






Ow!

For "high grade" examples of little used Colts, you've come to the wrong guy's thread! But a range report will hopefully be soon forthcoming.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

You're right about the finish on this one. It's sure a rough looking gun next to some of the Colt 1911s we see here. I'll bet it sure has it's share of mileage on it.

[Scott Gahimer]

Congratulations. It looks a lot better than many of the later-produced Argentinean pistols that have been imported in recent years. The primary reason the slide finish looks different (thinner and brown) is due to tannic acid in the holster. It's just normal wear and tear for a pistol that was used.

[Bill Hollinger]

Nice, I agree with Scott. I've only seen a couple but they were horrible! On one, if you shook it vigorously it would nearly disassemble itself!

[jmoore]

The primary reason the slide finish looks different (thinner and brown) is due to tannic acid in the holster.

Speaking of which, it came with one of the odd Argentinean holsters as well:







Double spare mag pouch! The only other holster with such a feature that I have is with a WWI "Ruby" .32. No separate belt mag pouch, I reckon.

[jmoore]

The minor annoyance? The rather pitiful replacement front sight disappeared after eight rounds.

That and it rained off and on all morning.


Yes, this is after sunrise!

The good news? The pistol shoots! And losing the front sight wasn't all that big a hinderance as far as combat effectiveness goes at 25 yards. If anything, the good shots were rather more centered.

The trigger is heavy but crisp. Control may be actually better than the '80 series stainless that was shot immediately previously. First rounds at 25 were a little low right, but then hits got lower...Oops! But the last two of the first string were fired without the front sight and went high and center.



So why not run some more?

Second string at 25yds with no front sight:



Looked for the sight for about an hour, but it never turned up. Thought I had seen it bounce off the slide in recoil, but lost track of it thereafter.

Not that the hole is much worse than that little bit of mangledness which is now not there to be pitiful!

So...anybody have a lead on an early type replacement sight?

[DaveN]

you forgot to mention the lanyard ring bent forward,thus authenticating it as an argy

at least it looks like it is in the picture or is that a shadow?
upper pic looks bent range pic looks straight.

[jmoore]

you forgot to mention the lanyard ring bent forward

In this case, it missed landing on the lanyard ring during the Argentine pistol throwing competitions.

[hitch1911]

Try Cylinder and Slide Inc. They have reproductions made to spec.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...8fa85e48-1.jpg

The minor annoyance? The rather pitiful replacement front sight disappeared after eight rounds.

That and it rained off and on all morning.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1e998d76-1.jpg
Yes, this is after sunrise!

The good news? The pistol shoots! And losing the front sight wasn't all that big a hinderance as far as combat effectiveness goes at 25 yards. If anything, the good shots were rather more centered.

The trigger is heavy but crisp. Control may be actually better than the '80 series stainless that was shot immediately previously. First rounds at 25 were a little low right, but then hits got lower...Oops! But the last two of the first string were fired without the front sight and went high and center.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f5f9223f-1.jpg

So why not run some more?

Second string at 25yds with no front sight:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...8ca3e55e-1.jpg

Looked for the sight for about an hour, but it never turned up. Thought I had seen it bounce off the slide in recoil, but lost track of it thereafter.

Not that the hole is much worse than that little bit of mangledness which is now not there to be pitiful!

So...anybody have a lead on an early type replacement sight?

[jmoore]

Try Cylinder and Slide Inc. They have reproductions made to spec.

That just has to be easier than whittling one out of a block of steel! And not pricey.


The beauty of this thread is that it will document the pistol as it sits now. Warts and all.