I started out to go look at a Colt .38 Super imported from Mexico by Odin, Alexandria, VA and a S&W Model 37. Signals got crossed and the seller went to show some other guns to another prospective buyer. So I went to the gun shop of a friend in Armada, MI and looked at some very nice, expensive guns; including a like NIB 1st Model Nickel plated Cobra in the box with all papers and a Remington US Property marked 1911 in the box with two magazines - never fired ($2,300) and some other nice guns. I came home with 2 very nice handguns. As you know my collecting leans towards the eclectic; these two fall into that category as well: first is a Browning Model 71, .380 pistol. It has also been referred to as a Model 1910/71.

Browning tried to bring their Model 1910 .380 pistol to the US market, calling it the Model 1955. With the restrictions placed on importation of handguns under the Gun Control Act of 1968, the 1955 was no longer importable.

Under the GCA firearms had to receive a passing score based on certain parts, size, and weight of the gun to qualify for import. Points were given for target sights, grips, and triggers; adjustable rear sights, loaded chamber indicator, etc.

Here's the one I got; based on Browning's dating system, it was made in 1971.


and the adjustable rear sight:


I also bought a very nice Colt Police Postive chambered in .32 Police, aka .32 S&W Long. This one came with a Colt Factory Letter from 2007; that shows it was shipped from Colt in November of 1913. It was shipped to Frothingham & Workman, Montreal as part of a 50 gun shipment. The letter states that is factory enscribed: C. P. R. No. 6 which more then likely stands for Canadian Pacific Railway. It has a very good finish considering its age: