1902 Colt Super 38

2861 Views 22 Replies 5 Participants Last post by donray, Jan 29, 2013

donray

Discussion Starter · Jan 28, 2013

I inherited my father's 1902 Colt 1911 Super 38 twenty one years ago. Can anyone tell me anything about it. It came from the factory mickle plated with the hammer and trigger gold plated. The grips are Franzite grips with a Eagle on the emblem on the grips.

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c3shooter

· #2 · Jan 28, 2013 (Edited)

Don- STOP.

First, the 1902 is not a 1911.

Second, the 1902 was not a .38 Super- it was a .38 ACP. The Model 1902 was made up until 1928, and the .38 Super came out in 1929. While the cartridges are identical in size, they are NOT identical in power. It is downright dangerous to shoot .38 Super in a .38 Auto pistol.

Re: Eagle on the grip medallion- sure that is not the "Rampant Colt"? Not enuff pixels in your photo to tell.

Here is some basic info for you-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_M1902

MoreAltitude

· #3 · Jan 28, 2013

donray said:
I inherited my father's 1902 Colt 1911 Super 38 twenty one years ago. Can anyone tell me anything about it. It came from the factory mickle plated with the hammer and trigger gold plated. The grips are Franzite grips with a Eagle on the emblem on the grips.

I'd say standard model colt 1902. Beautiful collectors piece you got

danf_fl

· #4 · Jan 28, 2013

Follow the advice of these fine gentlemen.

I sure would hate to see such a thing of beauty destroyed because you didn't.

I second the .38 ACP. It was not designed to handle the pressure of the .38Super

MoreAltitude

· #5 · Jan 28, 2013 (Edited)

MoreAltitude said:
I'd say standard model colt 1902. Beautiful collectors piece you got

Edit- Didn't see first response by C3 before I posted.
Oh and I think it's military model??? Didn't only the military models have a straight (not rounded) butt? I don't fully trust my older Colt knowledge.

donray

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 28, 2013

Thanks for all the info. I was told it's a .38 Super and now I know it's not

donray

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 28, 2013

c3shooter said:
Don- STOP.

First, the 1902 is not a 1911.

Second, the 1902 was not a .38 Super- it was a .38 ACP. The Model 1902 was made up until 1928, and the .38 Super came out in 1929. While the cartridges are identical in size, they are NOT identical in power. It is downright dangerous to shoot .38 Super in a .38 Auto pistol.

Re: Eagle on the grip medallion- sure that is not the "Rampant Colt"? Not enuff pixels in your photo to tell.

Here is some basic info for you-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_M1902

No it's definitely an eagle carrying something

danf_fl

· #8 · Jan 28, 2013

The .38 ACP ammo is a little expensive, but here is some:
http://www.ammo-one.com/38APCAuto.html

BillM

· #9 · Jan 28, 2013

donray said:
No it's definitely an eagle carrying something

Hmmm. Maybe it made a pass through Mexico sometime in the last
100+ years.

Does it look like an eagle grabbing a snake a snake, sitting on a cactus?

donray

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 28, 2013

MoreAltitude said:
I'd say standard model colt 1902. Beautiful collectors piece you got

Thanks I think sp

donray

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 28, 2013

BillM said:
Hmmm. Maybe it made a pass through Mexico sometime in the last
100+ years.

Does it look like an eagle grabbing a snake a snake, sitting on a cactus?

Yes it is..any clues

MoreAltitude

· #12 · Jan 28, 2013

donray said:
Yes it is..any clues

Better pics?? Truth is in the details my friend

donray

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 28, 2013

I found a website that described the gun to a tee all the way down to the grips with the Eagle and it said they made 800 like them for the Mexican government in 1917

donray

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 28, 2013

MoreAltitude said:
Better pics?? Truth is in the details my friend

I'll try to get some better pixs

donray

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jan 29, 2013

donray said:
Yes it is..any clues

No it has a banner in it's moth

donray

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 29, 2013

4

donray said:
No it has a banner in it's moth

Here are some more pics

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donray

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 29, 2013

donray said:
Here are some more pics

A banner in it's claws

donray

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 29, 2013

donray said:
I found a website that described the gun to a tee all the way down to the grips with the Eagle and it said they made 800 like them for the Mexican government in 1917

Anyone ever seen or heard of that?

MoreAltitude

· #19 · Jan 29, 2013

donray said:
Anyone ever seen or heard of that?

Your 1902 was made in 1917 with that serial. Additionally, once I saw the better pics I saw the grips. FRANZITE (flying eagle) was just a aftermarket brand of grips, which were imitation checked ivory, vintage but not original.

donray

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jan 29, 2013

Anyone have an idea what this gun might be worth?

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