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Make: DGFM-FMAP (Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles) Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
Model: 1927 Sistema Colt
Serial Number: 32166
Year of Manufacture: 1946
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “D.G.F.M. – (F.M.A.P.)”. The right side of the slide is marked with the Argentine national crest, “EJERCITO ARGENTINO / SIST. COLT CAL. 11.25 mm. MOD. 1927”, and with the serial number "32166 ". The right side of the frame, the top of the slide behind the ejection port, and the grip frame under the mainspring housing are also marked with the serial number “32166”. The chamber of the barrel is marked “COLT 45 AUTO”, making it a replacement, as these barrels were all marked with a serial number in that spot matching that of the frame when they left the factory.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade fixed to the slide, the rear sight is a“U”-notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown plastic with raised ribs around the grip screws. There are only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in about Excellent Condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued frame. Parkerized slide, which has a pleasant green color from age.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is shallow but sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The slide has light thinning on the leading edges with a few scattered light marks, a couple nicks on the left front, and some notches toward the rear. The frame has only a few scattered light marks. Most of the finish is lost on the front strap. The mainspring housing has lost its color but not its knurling. The leading edges of the frame are thinning. The grip safety has also lost most of its finish. The wear seems very honest. The hammer knurling is sharp as is the trigger knurling. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp and clear. As mentioned, the “COLT 45 AUTO” marked barrel and checkered brown plastic grips are not original to the gun. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fine Condition as not parts-original.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has both a manual and grip safety, and the trigger pull has a small amount of creep. The slide is tight to the frame. The pistol has a lanyard ring on the bottom of the mainspring housing. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one replacement parkerized 7-round magazine. The magazine is in Fine Condition, with light operational wear, and remains unmarked.
Our Assessment: In 1916, Argentina ordered 10,000 Colt M1911 pistols for their military, and were so impressed that in 1927, the Argentine Commission for Foreign Acquisitions negotiated a contract with Colt for another run of 10,000 pistols, this time the M1911A1, specially marked and serial numbered in a separate series, known as the 1927 Sistema Colt. Additionally, in that contract Argentina secured a licensing agreement, giving the Argentine government the right to manufacture these pistols using drawings, instructions, machinery, tooling, etc. supplied by Colt. The 10,000 M1911A1 pistols were delivered by Colt from 1927 to 1933, and have become known as the Hartford made 1927 Sistema Colts. Argentine production of the 1927 Sistema Colts began in 1927, and 14,000 were produced by 1942. In 1945, a new factory (FMAP) in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina began manufacture, and produced another 88,494 pistols through 1966. The 1927 Sistema Colts continued to be used in Argentina until the 1990s, when they were replaced by Browning Hi-Powers. Except for finish and markings, the Argentine made 1927 Sistema Colts were identical to the M1911A1 pistols produced by Colt, and the parts were interchangeable. Top quality steel was used in the construction, and they are known to be as tough and reliable as those made by Colt.
This Argentine Army Post-WW2 DGFM-FMAP 1927 Sistema Colt .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol was made in 1946 and is in Fine Condition as not parts-original. It features a 5” replacement “COLT 45 AUTO” marked barrel, 90% of its original blued (frame) and parkerized (slide) finish, an “EJERCITO ARGENTINO” and Argentine national crest marking on that slide, denoting Argentine Army issue, replacement two-piece checkered brown plastic grips with raised ribs around the grip screws, one replacement parkerized 7-round mag, matching serialized parts, no import marks, and a bright bore with shallow but sharp rifling and no erosion. All 1927 Sistema Colts are collectible, and this one would make a fine addition to your arsenal.