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Make: Colt
Model: MK IV Series ’70 Gold Cup National Match
Serial Number: 18005N70
Year of Manufacture: 1982 (
https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic Pistol fed by Detachable Magazine
Markings: The right side of the slide is marked ”GOLD CUP / NATIONAL MATCH” and with an image of a trophy. The left side of the slide is marked “COLT’S MK IV/SERIES ’70 / GOLD CUP NATIONAL MATCH / .45 AUTOMATIC CALIBER” and with the Rampant Colt logo. The right side of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and with the serial number “18005N70”. The barrel is marked “COLT .45 AUTO. N.M. / MK.IV/SERIES ’70. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in a triangle and “6”. The right side of the trigger guard is marked “Z”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the full-length rib on the top of the slide. The rear sight is an Elliason square notch sight adjustable for windage and elevation pinned to the slide. The top of the rib is serrated, and the top of the slide is matte finished for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece fully checkered walnut with gold-colored “COLT” medallions in their centers. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined with faintly worn peaks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent Condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some fouling in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is operation wear on the barrel. There is faint finish loss near the muzzle. There is some minor wear on the leading edges. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Excellent Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide to frame fit is snug. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: This pistol comes with one aftermarket blued 7-round magazine by Metalform, stamped “.45 / A.C.P.” next to their logo on the bottom floorplate, and with a lockable (complete with key) varnished wood display case with a French fit maroon velvet lining.
Our Assessment: For much of the early to mid 1900s, the standard Colt 1911 was used for all manner of pistol competitions, but the base Government Model typically needed some tweaking and modification to unlock its best performance. In 1957, Colt introduced their Gold Cup National Match, an out-of-the-box, purpose-built target pistol that could go straight from the dealer’s shelf to the firing line. The Gold Cup National Match featured specially hand-fitted parts, adjustable target sights, a serrated grip frame, and an adjustable trigger. For the first 13 years, these pistols were marked “NATIONAL *MATCH* COLT” on the slide; it wasn’t until 1970, when it was rebranded as the “MK IV SERIES ’70”, that the moniker “GOLD CUP” was added to the marking.
This Colt MK IV Series ’70 Gold Cup National Match Pistol was made in 1982 and is in Excellent Condition. It features a 5” barrel, 98% of its lustrous, original blued finish, elegant two-piece fully checkered walnut grips with gold-colored “COLT” medallions in their centers, an aftermarket blued 7-round mag by Metalform, classic target sights, a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion (just some fouling in the grooves), and a lockable (complete with key) varnished wood display case with a French fit maroon velvet lining. Whether you’re looking for a great 1911-style target pistol or want to add a Gold Cup National Match to your collection, this is the choice for you.