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LOT 296
Outstanding and Rare, Documented, Early Post-World War II, Factory
Engraved Colt Super 38 Semi-Automatic Pistol Noted as Being Part
of Colt’s Traveling Display with Factory Letter and Box - Serial no.
71816, 38 Super Auto cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, antique ivory grips.
Manufactured in 1948, this is an extremely rare example of an early post-World
War II, factory engraved, Colt Super 38 Pistol which was used as part of Colt’s
traveling display, particularly at the N.R.A. convention. In “The Colt Engraving
Book Vol. II” by R.L. Wilson on p. 599, it is noted that prior to World War II,
approximately 32 Colt Super 38 pistols were factory engraved, with about 17
inscribed during the same period. Wilson goes on to state that after World
War II, up until 1971 when the Series 70 was introduced and production of the
true Super 38 model ceased, only about six were factory engraved, with a few
more than that number hand-inscribed, making this pistol incredibly scarce.
This example was almost certainly engraved by Colt factory Master Engraver
Wilbur A. Glahn (1888-1951), showing many similarities to a National Match
pistol engraved by him pictured on the previously mentioned page, as well
as similarities to the matching pair shown on p. 601 of the same book, which
are also gold inlaid. Glahn engraved handled the bulk of Colt’s engraving work
from 1919 until becoming ill in the spring of 1950, followed by his passing in
early 1951. The included factory letter with this example confirms the caliber,
barrel length, and blue finish, with the grips not listed. It goes on to state that
the pistol has “C” class factory engraving with the engraver not listed, and that
it was charged to the loan account and shipped to T.C. McPartland for the
N.R.A. Convention on 22 October 1948. The letter additionally notes that the
records indicate that the pistol was used as part of Colt’s traveling display and
that it was eventually returned to the factory and subsequently shipped to
Wm. Quinn & Son in Freehold, New Jersey on 28 October 1968. Colt’s displays
at shows all over the country such as the N.R.A. convention were an incredible
marketing tool during the post-war period geared at turning returning
G.I.’s, some of whom carried Colt pistols during the war, into civilian sector
customers. The near full coverage, class “C” factory engraving in the typical
style of Wilbur Glahn, primarily featuring intertwined vines of floral scroll
with a very finely punch-dotted background, which encompasses almost all
of the main surfaces of the pistol as well as most of the small parts including
the barrel bushing. The sides of the frame and slide, as well as many of the
small parts are finished in high polish blue, while the remainder is primarily
matte blue. The left side of the slide has the standard one-line address, while
the right is marked “COLT” and “SUPER 38/AUTOMATIC”. The serial number is
marked on the right of the frame and “C” is marked in hammer well under
the firing pin stop plate. The blued barrel has a polished chamber hood and
muzzle and is unmarked. It is fitted with blade and flat-topped notch sights,
serrated slide stop, checkered thumb safety, checkered narrow hammer, long
grip safety, and an arched serrated mainspring housing. The magazine is full
blue with Super 38 markings on the base and the grips are smooth antique
ivory with Colt medallions. Also included is a correct factory box with the end
label additionally hand marked “71816 CU. ENG.” and an extra pair of very
finely figured hardwood grips.
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