Colt Super 38 1948 fat barrel.

jeeps

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After WW -2. Colt used up wartime parts on making early post war 1911's. Even WW-2 grips! This old girl is a great shooter. Love the early Super 38's.
 

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Yeah, I'm a fan also. Here's my "fat barrel" .38 Super:

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The fat barrels were "fat" because they were turned to the same outside diameter of a .45 G.I. barrel (using the same bushing).

I posted a bunch of photos of this pistol here: Colt Super .38 Automatic - #63126



I also have a nice pre-war .38 Super from 1936.

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Compare it's "skinny" barrel:

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I posted it here: Colt Super .38 Automatic - #21051

Wonderful pistols!
 
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Might as well show a few more early 38 Supers; pre-war from 1936, and nickel from 1957 with ivory grips. Foolishly traded the nickel one awhile back although have another pre-war in nickel but it is probably a re-nickel. Great old guns those early 38 Supers; not that the Series 70 versions are all that bad either.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 

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Another 1948 Fat Barrel here. The original plastic WWII surplus stocks were long gone but these nice American Walnut full checkered (or "checked" as Colt's used to write in their advertising) stocks fit the bill.
 

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Can I post this one here? It's not pristine, but it is a Super .38.....

It's a very small serial number, not sure if that means its insignificant. I googled the serial number and it said it was from 1929, I guess it is really old and would just like to find someone to buy it from me because I don't think old stuff is for me. I prefer cool guns like glocks and hi points. Really just want to get rid of this thing, it looks worn out and has a lot of wear on it.

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This thread was about fat barreled .38's, but this is all I have:

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Plus the mag that came with it looks like all the finish is worn off the top, should I get a bottle of cold blue to touch it up? Appreciate any help on this, I'll do it and check in here in a few days.

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Hey, Mexican Kerry, I agree with you that that old Colt is just about worn out, not to mention obsolete. I'm sad that you have such an inappropriate solution for our modern needs. To make us both feel better I'll up jeeps suggestion; I have a couple of Glocks, a nice Model 19 and even nicer Model 23, and I'll be happy to send both to you in exchange for that old beater. I doubt that a gun from way back in 1929 will even shoot. Let me know when you want to ship.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
Of course, to get the Glock 19 by trading the old Super, Mexican
Kerry would have to add quite a bit of cash as well.

I expect I'd have to! All kidding aside, I wasn't trying to derail the original topic, I think they are great pistols. I haven't actually fired that early one, I bought a new Colt a few years ago to scratch the itch. Its not as "nice", but it sure shoots. No fine checkering, and not as nicely finished.

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Was at the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco yesterday and saw this 38 Super and thought I'd add it to the discussion. As it looks a bit like my re-nickeled pre-war 38 Super I thought I'd add that too.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 

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1. Fat Barrel? News to me. I always assumed all Supers had the same barrel diameter as the 45 and used the same bushing. Learn something new everyday. OK to call them "Magic Marker Barrels?"

2. I have liked the Colt Super for a long time. Had a 1967 Commander Super that had those same brown stocks.

3. Collectors have driven the prices up on early Supers to where most regular folk can't even think about them. I have a Series '70 Colt Super and a nickel RIA Super. The Colt shoots OK.

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The RIA supers are very good shooters. I use one to carry on long road trips. I gave $350 for it lightly used. Works great and accurate to. Not a old Colt ,but good service auto.
 
824tsv, that Super Match is outstanding and the Colt letter provides a great starting point. Have you been able to find out more about where it went and how it got to you? Beautiful gun, I've wanted a Super Match for a long time but am yet to find one or even see one for sale. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
824tsv, that Super Match is outstanding and the Colt letter provides a great starting point. Have you been able to find out more about where it went and how it got to you? Beautiful gun, I've wanted a Super Match for a long time but am yet to find one or even see one for sale. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Not really much to tell about this Colt. It was brought back from England by a Canadian soldier. Once back in Canada he registered it with the RCMP and kept it in his house. When he passed away in the mid 90's I was approached by a family member asking me if I was interested in it as no one else in the family had a firearms licence to be able to legally keep it. It's been mine since. I have no idea how it was acquired back in England, but it has zero British proofs or Canadian proofs for that matter. It's been shot quite a bit. The previous owner was a gun club member and used and enjoyed it.
 
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