Author Topic: "Marina Argentina" Colt?  (Read 1717 times)

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Offline Bagpiper

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"Marina Argentina" Colt?
« on: September 08, 2005, 08:19:24 AM »
In my local shop there is what appears to be a Colt made Argentine military 1911A1. Left side of slide is stamped:
COLT'S PT.F.P MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.
Right side of slide is stamped:
(Lightly stamped) MARINA ARGENTINA   (Heavier stamp)COLT automatic calibre .45 (picture of rampant colt)
s/n on frame is C178xxx (with the words GOVERNMENT MODEL right above)
It has a parkerized finish with a lanyard loop on the bottom of the mainspring housing.
With what little info is available the s/n appears to be around 1915-1919,
but the pistol is too new for those years. It looks much newer. Is there any info on these pistols?  Thanks in advance for your help.

BTW the shop is asking $800.

John
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Faugh A Ballagh

Offline Mikey

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"Marina Argentina" Colt?
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2005, 03:02:30 AM »
Bagpiper:  Colt first made 1911s for Argentina during the 1920s I believe, and the model was referred to as the 1927 as it ahd a target hammer and knurled trigger face, etc.  The Argentina took over production on Colt equipment that Colt sent to Argentina and the Argetines called that the Modelo 1927 - It was marked in Spanish with Pistola 1927 Ejercito Argentina, Calibre 11.45mm - meaning (translated loosely) 1927 Army pistol.  Those were made for the Army.  I do not know of any made for the Navy - as that is what 'Marina' means, Navy.  

However, what we have wit these pistols is two makers, Colt early on and they may have stamped it as you have seen, but then Argentina took over production and their stamping was more consistently heavier and blockier than the Colt stampings.  

It this is a Colt made or Argentine made pistol it should not have a Cxxxx serial number.  Those C-prefix serial numbered pistols were American commercially made Colts.

Production of the Argetnie pistols would not have been in the 1915-1920 period, it would have been later in the 1920s - 30s.

Parkerized - no, I think they would have been blued.

C- prefixs and Government Model don't mix - the C-prefixes were commercial, the Government Models were government models.  

If it looks too much 'newer' it is probably bogus.  And $800 is too much.  HTH.  Mikey.

Offline 1911crazy

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"Marina Argentina" Colt?
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2005, 04:25:18 AM »
Guys weren't these a few years ago priced like cheap surplus imports?? I know the prices on Balaster Moina's(incorrect spelling sorry) were dirt cheap at first and now there thru the roof.  With these prices it makes the new mid priced 1911a1's on the market right now look good unless your looking for a Colt.  There are some really nice collectables right now on the market too.  The Auto-Ordnance Army WW2 1911a1 copy is a very fine example of this awesome WW2 model and priced very reasonable too ($384) and the Springfield Armory Goverment WW2 model 1911a1 is another one its made in Brazil and priced around $419, and there is another NEW Springfield armory 1911a1 goverment "double stack mag" thats 13rd mag + one in the pipe and i think its around $500,  if your looking for a collectables now is the time to get some very reasonably mid priced collectable/shooters.  With the 1911a1 market with the prices getting way out of hand we do have some great choices in the mid priced market even the S.A.M, Rock Iland Armory and Charles Daly's look good too their priced around $500+ also.
We as 1911a1 shooters sure do have some great affordable choices right now. As the higher end of the 1911a1 market approaches the $800 to $1,200 range but were talking a 1911a1 stoked with all the cool options like everything but air conditioning, the mid priced no frills 1911a1's sure looks good to me right now.

For some reason the used market isn't attractive anymore either it seems to be over priced on the used semi-auto pistols too. This has pushed me to look at the mid priced new 1911a1 market.  The mid market is flooded with some good choices right now.

I think right now one of the hottest buys for a 1911a1 is the Auto Ordnance Army WW2 copy for a 45acp.($384)   And in the 9mm pistol market if you want a neat little collectable/shooter its the Star BM 9mm. ($200)  www.thegunzone.com/ao1911a1.html

BTW;  I remember seeing these "1927's" somewhere and i think it was southern ohio gun on the net.  I would look around on the net to check prices the $800 doesn't sound right.

Offline Bagpiper

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"Marina Argentina" Colt?
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2005, 02:33:47 AM »
Thanks for your input, after looking around the 'net I found this:
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/c2300.htm
This shops description is as follows:
"Colt Government Model .45 ACP caliber pistol. Argentine Navy issue. Arsenal parkerized in Argentina."
This is almost a clone of the one in the shop. Thanks again for your help.

John

Offline Mikey

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"Marina Argentina" Colt?
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2005, 02:20:17 AM »
Bagpiper:  I was obviously wrong about that Argentine 45, and thanks for the clarification.  That being said however I sure wouldn't pay almost $1K for a mil-spec 45.  Mikey.