A veeeery interesting Colt Model M USP .380...

[John Holbrook]

I bought this Colt Model M .380 US PROPERTY at the Colt Collectors Assoc. meeting and show this last weekend in Portland. It has a very rare overstrike serial number. Colt found that several Model M's had duplicate serial numbers so they renumbered the duplicates. This Colt, serial number 135022 was renumbered by overstriking the numeral "5" with a "6", making it 136022.

This example was shipped to the Supply Officer, Naval Supply Depot, Norfolk, VA. on 14 June 1944. This Colt is a very rare variation of the Model M.... The shoulder holster is also quite rare.

http://www.fototime.com/{7EACBFCC-1452-4327-808C-4BB09D877CE1}/picture.JPG
http://www.fototime.com/{BEADA867-3D93-40E0-B28C-1EEE179B19C6}/picture.JPG
http://www.fototime.com/{2EC0A440-5851-47D6-B966-B886F2B072C1}/picture.JPG

[kryten]

John,

That's a beauty! Any idea how many overstrikes existed?

Forgive my ignorance, but what's with the little arrow on the front RHS?

[John Holbrook]

My understanding is that there were not to many and most were the Model 1903 .32's..... The later .380 re-stamps, such as this one, are very rare. Also, this Colt went to the Navy in 1944, which is also rare....

The small arrow and line on the slide is an alignment mark for removing the slide. The slide is moved back until the line is lined up with the front of the dust cover, then the barrel will rotate and unlock from the frame. The slide and barrel will then slide forward off of the frame.

[wichaka]

John, was at the show on Sunday. I had my 8 yr old son with me, and we enjoyed your display. I had a good time explaining the many Colts to him.

A bit of a slow show, but wish they had more Colt shows around here.