1933 Colt Argentine Contract

[kenc9]

The Colt serial number on the frame matches the Colt serial number on the slide (under the firing pin stop). The barrel number matches the Argentine serial number on the slide. This particular Colt was used by the national police force. EDIT; I guess I should add I just picked this one up. I have been looking for an Argentine 1911 with horseees on the slide for a while now

[DRH]

I need to get one of those pistols as the companion firearm to my 1928 Colt, Argentine contract, Browning that I am building. Here is the left side plate markings, site base is Carl Zeiss.

[Clancy]

Gentlemen,
I have one from Colt. The Order for these is weird. My Colt letter show that it was in 1934 and only about 384 [I think] were ordered from Colt. KNow why Order one's from Colt when they are making them as the F.M.A.P.
Thanks again
Clancy

[kenc9]

Gentlemen,
I have one from Colt. The Order for these is weird. My Colt letter show that it was in 1934 and only about 384 [I think] were ordered from Colt. KNow why Order one's from Colt when they are making them as the F.M.A.P.
Thanks again
Clancy

My only guess is they couldn't make enough Sistemas at the time. Here are the production records. Did you write Colt and get that letter?

Model 1911A1
Serial Numbers Date Number Made

S/N C135000 to C139999 1924 5000
S/N C140000 to 144999 1925 5000
S/N C145000 to C150999 1926 6000
S/N C151000 to C151999 1927 1000
S/N C152000 to C154999 1928 3000
S/N C155000 to C155999 1929 1000
S/N C156000 to C158999 1930 3000
S/N C159000 to C160999 1931 2000
S/N C161000 to C164799 1932 3800
S/N C164800 to C174599 1933 9800
S/N C174600 to C177999 1934 3400
S/N C178000 to C179799 1935 1800
S/N C179800 to C183199 1936 3400
S/N C183200 to C188699 1937 5500
S/N C188700 to C189599 1938 900
S/N C189600 to C198899 1939 9300
S/N C198900 to C199299 1940 400
S/N C199300 to C208799 1941 9500
S/N C208800 to C215018 1942 6219

[Clancy]

Yes, I got the letter years ago. Problem is why the odd numbers like onlt 384 why not just 400. That's what's odd to me?
Thanks again
Clancy

[kenc9]

Yes, I got the letter years ago. Problem is why the odd numbers like onlt 384 why not just 400. That's what's odd to me?
Thanks again
Clancy

The only thing that makes sense is they couldn't fill demand with their Sistema production and made an order for XXX amount from Colt, Colt had XXX available to send so they sent what they could.

I just got an email that said;

I've read, don't remember where, that the Army had highest priority for Sistema pistols so the Navy and other organizations often ordered directly from Colt to avoid delay.

Here is another email;

Their contract required the purchase of guns to get the right to make their own. Also included in the package was Colt manufaturing expertise to set up then sistema production line.


-ken

[Clancy]

kence,
I will have to dig out that letter. Colt was getting money for each FMAP Built.
Thanks again
Clancy
ps we know that they overran their serial numbers.