Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Is this a Colt Frame?

clays
A few weeks back I posted pictures of a newly aquired, what I thought was a Colt 38Super. Turned out it was a Giles conversion to 38MRWC.
I am now curious to know if the serial # will identify what lower frame I have. Can it be determined from just the serial # as there seem to be no other markings? Thanks for your help.

[img][/img]38MWC002_1024x767.jpg
[img][/img]38MWC005_1024x767.jpg
0

Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Hawk Carse
    It LOOKS like a Colt and there were not a lot of choices when Mr Giles was at work. If a Colt, proofhouse.com says 1960.
    0
  • dcs shooters
    A Colt frame would have "COLT'S PATENT FIREARMS" above the right grip panel. Like the slide.
    0
  • 5mmgunguy
    It is not a Colt frame. My Colt 38 Super has in small print above the right grip wording similar to what is on your slide.
    0
  • perry shooter
    #* SUPERS may or may not be marked as the other post state. However all Colts in the time frame of serial numbers as your frame depict will Have one mark that will assure it is a colt frame. That is a V/P proof mark that was used for many years. Look very very carefully on the left side of the trigger guard where the trigger guard transitions to the frame the trigger guard will have a flat side in a V shape about the size of your little finger nail on this flat surface there is most likely one letter but also a weird mark sort of like a V but inside this V are 2 letters with the right side of V acting as the left side of the P this mark may be very very light if the gun was ever refinished . many guns when converted by Giles if the grip strap was Checkered had to be refinished. If it has the VP proof it proves it is a Colt. Without this mark it still may be a Colt with mark polished off. Most other makers mark their frame.

    EDIT the letter C was a prefix for civilian 45ACP frames . The original ACE was just numbers as well as the 38 Super. The Service model ACE had prefix of SM and military Colt 45ACP had all different marks on frame most we No. XXXXX with X being numbers.

    EDIT # 2 just a bit of Colt trivia. Can anyone tell me what kind of Colt 1911 type pistols made and sold between the years of 1964 and 1970 that did NOT have the VP proof on the left hand flat of the trigger guard [?]I have a 641 page hardbound book "The Rifle in America" by Philip B. Sharpe Give-Away to the first person that gives the correct answer.
    0
  • clays
    quote:Originally posted by perry shooter
    #* SUPERS may or may not be marked as the other post state. However all Colts in the time frame of serial numbers as your frame depict will Have one mark that will assure it is a colt frame. That is a V/P proof mark that was used for many years. Look very very carefully on the left side of the trigger guard where the trigger guard transitions to the frame the trigger guard will have a flat side in a V shape about the size of your little finger nail on this flat surface there is most likely one letter but also a weird mark sort of like a V but inside this V are 2 letters with the right side of V acting as the left side of the P this mark may be very very light if the gun was ever refinished . many guns when converted by Giles if the grip strap was Checkered had to be refinished. If it has the VP proof it proves it is a Colt. Without this mark it still may be a Colt with mark polished off. Most other makers mark their frame.

    You sir are exactally correct. Just as plain as day there is a VP right where you said it would be. Now, how do we date it?
    0
  • rufe-snow
    Here are photos of a 1950's era .38 Super, from a on-line site. The frame doesn't have a letter "C" in the serial number, or is it marked with the Colt logo on the frame. I believe that your frame was originally a .38 Super that was converted by Giles in the 60's.

    http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/product_details.php?itemID=34887
    0
  • Hawk Carse
    quote:Now, how do we date it?


    To quote a usually reliable source (me):
    ...proofhouse.com says 1960.
    0
  • navc130
    All of the reputable, high quality pistolsmiths of that era either accurized your pistol that you sent to them, or used a brand new Colt to build a match grade .38 Wadcutter or .45 ACP pistol, to the best of my knowledge. If you ordered a pistol from them you received a new standard Colt 1911 upgraded to match grade.
    0
  • wpage
    Why would it not be a colt frame?
    0
  • 35 Whelen
    quote:Originally posted by perry shooter


    EDIT # 2 just a bit of Colt trivia. Can anyone tell me what kind of Colt 1911 type pistols made and sold between the years of 1964 and 1970 that did NOT have the VP proof on the left hand flat of the trigger guard [?]I have a 641 page hardbound book "The Rifle in America" by Philip B. Sharpe Give-Away to the first person that gives the correct answer.


    I'm probably wrong on this, but I'll take a shot at it.

    Wasn't it the Gold Cup .38 wadcutter? I think they were marked ".38 AMU", and they modified the case to get rid of the regular rim, and added an extractor groove to make it eject more reliably than a rimmed case would.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity