Argentine Navy Gov't Model

[Mickey D]

I just purchased a Colt Gov't Model with Argentina Navy markings.
I have been searching the forum for as much information as possible.
Ser# C1787XX which puts it about 1935 manufacture. It is parkerized with identical Colt markings as pictured, except it is rollmarked Marina Argentina on the right side, but no crest. I'm almost certain it has been refinished, but is in great condition with sharp knurled safety, slide stop, hammer and MSH.
Sorry I can not post pics, as I have to wait the mandated CA 10 days.

There is a very small importer mark stamped on the entrance of the mag well.

Would it be correct for some Argentine Colts to not have the crest?

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w22/MickeyD1/ArgentineColt.jpg

[Doran]

Some Argentina Colts do not have a crest. Please post pictures when you obtain the pistol.

[Mickey D]

Some Argentina Colts do not have a crest. Please post pictures when you obtain the pistol.

That's a good sign! I certainly will post pics.
being a Navy Colt, do you think they were park'ed by the Navy or after they became surplus?

Mike

[Doran]

Argentina parkerized at least some Navy issue pistols. Recent imports tend toward black, most likely refinished by the importer.

[Mickey D]

Thanks Doran.
This partucular gn isn't black, but more of a regular parkerizing. The import stamp was applied after the parkerizing. Would the importer stamp before or after if they were the one's that park'ed it?

[Doran]

I've observed both before and after stamps on refinished imports so there doesn't seem to be a std procedure. I've seen what I believed were original Navy Sistemas stamped in that area after finish.

[Mickey D]

Interesting verbage from Crufflers.com, Who were comissioned to sell Argentine pistols for JDL Enterprise:

In 1916, the Argentine military adopted the Colt M1911 as standard (called the "Pistola Colt Modelo 1916" in Argentina), and contracted with Colt for the supply of these guns. In 1927, the Argentines adopted the pistol that became the M1911A1 in the United States, designating it the "Pistola Colt Modelo 1927. In the mid-1920's, the Argentine Army contracted with Colt to supply 10,000 M1911A1 pattern pistols. These pistols were delivered between 1927 and 1928. In 1932, the Argentine Policia de la Capital decided to replace their .38 S&W revolvers with Colt Government Model .45 ACP pistols. The first Policia de la Capital order was placed in 1933 through a private arms dealer. Police pistols show the fit and finish typical of pre-war Colts, and are blued with commercial markings while Army pistols were parkerized with military markings.


http://www.cruffler.com/JLD.html
Perhaps the finish on my example is original afterall. All rollmarks and stampings are crisp.

[Hill]

I thought that Crufflers was defunct, or at least no longer selling. Someone is keeping the site alive anyway?

[Hawkmoon]

The Cruffler site appears to be running on autopilot. Probably two years ago, when I first became aware of the Sistemas and wanted to get one, I found the Cruffler site and through them I got directly to JDL. Whoever I spoke with at JDL said they had been trying for YEARS to get their name removed from the site because they had been sold out of the Sistemas for a long, long time and wouldn't be getting any more. But ... they couldn't find anybody to contact who could take their name off the Cruffler site.

It's bizarre.

[Axel]

http://www.ghqst.com/img/Marina.jpg
Here is one that does not have a crest or any other extra roll marks other than Marina Argentina.

I owned it for years before I found out what it was.

Post pictures of yours when you get a chance.

[BHP Fan]

Saweet!I have the Ballister Molinas,one Navy [Armada] and one Police [Policia] and I'd LOVE to some day have a ''Systema''...

[Mickey D]

http://www.ghqst.com/img/Marina.jpg
Here is one that does not have a crest or any other extra roll marks other than Marina Argentina.

I owned it for years before I found out what it was.

Post pictures of yours when you get a chance.

I'll definately post pics soon.

It looks identical to your's in the bottom of the photo! Ser# 1787XX. What markings are on your barrel, and is it blue? The one I bought has no reference to caliber and two unfamiliar stamp markings on the toggle lug.
Do you know if Colt applied the Argentine rollmark and parkerizing?

Edited with: If I recall, one of the barrel markings looks like a P with an arrow diagnally from left to right. Anyone?

[Axel]

There are no markings on the barrel which is typical of a Colt commercial barrel made at that time. The exposed part is bright. The rest is blued.

The roll mark is so well done, I figure Colt applied it.

The parkerizing looks old and original and I always thought it was, but Colt did not parkerize commercial guns at that time, so it must have had the beautiful prewar Colt blue originally and was parkerized later.

Post pictures of the stamps on your barrel. Someone here might be able to identify it.

BHP fan- Thanks. Post pictures of yours when you get a chance.

[Mickey D]

Thanks for the info. I'll post pics when I pick it up sometime after the 1/23.

The one I bought looks darn near like new. All rollmarks are crisp, as are all the checkered pieces. The screw side (right) of the mag release is blue, as are the pins and barrel (like yours, the exposed is not). I'm real excited about this variation.
Thanks again for sharing your GM pics.

Mike

[Mickey D]

axle, does yours have the correct magazine for the time period? Mine has a USGI replacement, but I don't recall the cage number.
Like to find the correct mag.

Mike