Argentine 1911 question

[Dmath]

I have a gorgeous 1911 that I bought from a friend. On the right side of the slide it says "EJERCITO ARGENTINO" on the top line, and, below, "COLT CAL .45MOD. 1927." There's also a crest of some sort right beside the ejection port.

On the left side, one line, reading, "D.G.F.M - (F.M.A.P.)''

The friend says he thought it was actually made by Colt for export to Argentina, but he's not sure of that. I'd like to know what was the deal with these -- were they something Colt made, or the Argentines did, under license? It also has dark-brown Bakelite grips -- at least I think they're Bakelite.

Does anybody here have any idea how I can track this down? I'm not looking to sell it. But with the quality of finish it has -- it does not look like a re-blue, too crisp for that --it's better than just a shooter. More like a museum piece. I'd like to keep it.

 

[Onmilo]

Welcome to The High Road, first post and all that.
Your Pistol is an Argentine made version of the 1911A1 Colt Service Pistol.
While there are Colt made & Argentinian used pistols, yours is not one of them.
Fear not, your gun was made of quality steel on Colt provided machinery and in original condition are becoming quite collectible in their own right.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

You've picked up a SISTEMA. Do a google search on that term (or "Argentine Sistema.")

Here's a link to the 1911 Forum with a pretty detailed history.

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=68064

It's a period-correct Colt built by Argentines who were originally trained by Colt, on Colt-supplied equipment, for the Argentine military. There are Army, Navy, and Air Force versions -- indicated by markings on the slide. It's a potentially solid gun.

 

[Dmath]

Thanks, guys!

And thanks for the link. Good information.

I'm not surprised to find it's got a respectable pedigree. The gun just seems really well-made.

It's somewhat embarrassing to admit, but I have owned it for over 12 years and have hardly ever fired it. Over the past week I made up a couple hundred rounds of .45 hardball, loaded midrange, so it's off to the range this weekend. . . weather permitting.

 

[Ash]

Most of these are post WWII and are superb pistols.

 

[hatchetbearer]

if your serial number has a "C" prefix, it was made by Colt for the Argentinians. However, none stamped D.G.F.M (F.M.A.P) will have that prefix. they will have the pre 1955 stamping.

 

[Onmilo]

This one was a "Gunsmith Special" I bought for around $175 back about 1990, when I received the pistol it looked like it had been used for pistol throwing practice.
I used the gun for many years as a parts fitting sample then dissembled it and threw it in a box for about 15 years. Last year I rebuilt it into a shooter, works just fine.

 

[wojownik]

My Argentine is one of my favorite 1911s. I've had it for a decade and aa half, without issue of any kind (except for one cheap mag it didn't like). Very nicely constructed, tight, accurate ... kept mine in original condition. Really liked the deep sharp texture of the backstrap and hammer spur. "My one regret is not getting one or two more back then ...

 

[HEAVY METAL 1]

^^^^^ Roger that. Got mine w/ my C&R for an absolute steal. It is my favorite gun. It rode on my hip all day today. Made me feel all cozy and warm.

 

[Baba Louie]

On the right side of the slide it says "EJERCITO ARGENTINO" on the top line, and, below, "COLT CAL .45MOD. 1927."

The "45" in lieu of "11.25 or 11.25mm" and no reference to "Sist." in front of the word Colt intrigues me for some reason, especially with the DGMF-FMAP on the opposite side of the slide.