Pre-World War II U.S. Springfield Armory Shipped Colt Service Model Ace Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter
A desirable factory-documented Colt .22 caliber pistol manufactured in 1939 and shipped to the U.S. Springfield Armory, giving it strong historical and collector appeal. Its confirmed configuration, government-armory shipment provenance, classic pre-war Colt blue finish, and matching internal slide marking make it an excellent addition for collectors of Colt automatics and U.S. martial-associated firearms.
- Manufactured in 1939
- Accompanied by a factory letter confirming the original configuration and shipment details:
- Barrel length: 5 inches
- Caliber: .22
- Finish: blue
- Grips: not listed
- Shipped in a 164-pistol shipment
- Sent to the U.S. Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts
- Shipment date: March 13, 1939
- Collector-focused provenance:
- Factory-letter documented
- Pre-war Colt manufacture
- Shipped to the U.S. Springfield Armory, a historically significant government arms facility
- Part of a documented shipment of 164 pistols, adding traceable historical context
- Sights:
- Fixed ramped blade front sight
- Adjustable notch rear sight
- Slide markings:
- Left side of the slide has the two-line Colt address and patent dates
- Left side also features the Rampant Colt roll mark
- Right side of the slide is roll-marked with the legend and caliber designation
- Serial number and internal slide detail:
- Matching “10/33” serial number located behind the firing pin stop
- Right side of the frame bears the “S M” prefix serial number
- Factory proof and inspection markings:
- Colt “P” proof on the left side of the trigger guard
- Colt “triangle/VP” factory proof on the left side of the trigger guard
- “60” marked on the right side of the trigger guard
- Controls and frame features:
- Checkered short milled trigger
- Slide catch
- Thumb safety
- Wide spur hammer
- Arched mainspring housing without a lanyard loop
- Grips and magazine:
- Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips
- Includes a two-tone blued magazine
- Magazine base is marked “SERVICE MODEL”
- A compelling collector piece that combines:
- Factory-letter authentication
- 1939 pre-war production
- U.S. Springfield Armory shipment history
- Classic Colt blue finish
- Desirable .22 caliber target/practice configuration
- Original-style Colt markings, proofs, and Service Model magazine markings
Very fine, retaining 70% plus original blue finish with some scattered light edge wear, light cycling wear, brown patina on the front grip strap, some scattered minor patches of spotting/freckling, light handling wear, and clear roll marks. The grips are exceptionally fine with some minor compression wear in the otherwise mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
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