[Tarwater]

Many thanks in advance to those of you smarter than I at this stuff.

On the slide, it says:

PISTOLA AUTOMATICA BALLESTER-RIGAUD CAL.45
FABRICADA POR H.A.F.D.A.S.A. BUENOS AIRES
PAT.48282-INDUSTRIA ARGENTINA

Then on the other side, EJERCITO ARGENTINO with the Argentine crest next to it.

The serial number is 11634. Also, there's a 3308 on the handle next to the loop thingie on the bottom (I'm so technical).

So, what can you tell me about this piece?

[XavierBreath]

Sounds like a Ballester Rigaud to me. Not a 1911, but still a decent surplus .45 ACP semi-auto.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=42378&stc=1&d=1153267379

The Ballester-Molina pistol, originally known as Ballester-Rigaud (http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg158-e.htm) (so marked during first years of manufacture, circa 1938 to 1940), were made in Argentine by Hispano Argentina de Automotives SA (HAFDASA) company. Manufacture started in 1938 in attempt to provide Argentinean police and military with less expensive alternative to the Colt modelo 1927 pistol, a domestically made licensed copy of the American Colt M1911A1 pistol. Production of the Ballester-Molina ceased in the early 1950s. While Ballester-Molina pistol is externally very similar to Colt, it has significant differences, especially in the safety and trigger unit arrangements. Actually, the only parts exchangeable between Ballester-Molina and M1911A1 are the barrel with link and the magazine. The trigger and safety arrangements were more or less copied from the Spanish Star pistols, with the pivoting trigger, single trigger to sear link, and no grip safety. Ballester-Molina pistols were used by Argentinean military and police, as well as supplied to the Britain during Second World war. Britain issued these pistols to their Special Operations Executives agents, which usually operated behind enemy lines.

The Ballester-Molina pistol is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. the locking system is similar to that of Colt M1911A1, with the swinging link used to unlock the barrel from the slide. The single action trigger is pivoted on the axis, the frame-mounted manual safety locks the slide and the hammer.

If I remember correctly, the Ballester Rigaud/Molina was available about 2-3 years back from folks like SOG (http://www.southernohiogun.com/) and AIM (http://www.aimsurplus.com/) for around $250. They sold out, and it is likely there will be no more surplus Ballesters of either type surplused on the market again. I wish I had bought one back then. Retail value right now is about the same. The Rigaud is slightly more desirable than the Molina IMHO. Expect parts to be hard to come by.

[Tarwater]

Well, bummer about the parts not interchanging, but you know what? I'm still going to refer to it as a 1911 for simplicity if'n you don't mind ;)

[Prairie Ghost]

.........domestically made licensed copy of the American Colt M1911A1 pistol.


I think it fits the critiria for a 1911 as well.

[longeyes]

Close but not quite. Ballester-Molina (or as the wags put it, Ballerina-Molester). Probably a good gun so long as you don't think it's a complete kosher 1911. There are going to be parts issues, reason enough to think long and hard about whether it's worth it.

[Sistema1927]

Prairie Ghost, the

.........domestically made licensed copy of the American Colt M1911A1 pistol.

is not the Ballester-Molina featured in this thread but the Sistema 1927. The
Sistema is a 100% copy of the Colt and all parts interchange. Not to knock the Ballester, but it is far from a

.........domestically made licensed copy of the American Colt M1911A1 pistol.

[Tarwater]

There are going to parts issues, reason enough to think long and hard about whether it's worth it.

Oh, it's worth it. This particular gun belonged to my grandfather, and I wouldn't give it up for a truckload of "real" 1911s.

Thanks for the information, everyone.