One of my many interests is Foreign Weapons from WWI thru Present Day.
Over the years I’ve collected a few .45ACP Automatics from Argentina.
Argentina has since about 1925 Sought an independence from Europe and the America’s regarding the manufacture of Military Grade weaponry within their own borders.
One of the first weapons on their list was a .45 ACP caliber Automatic Pistol. Colt in Hartford Ct was contacted and from this sprung a contract for 10,000 M1911A1’s as phase 1 of the contract. Phase 2 was the shipment of Tooling and On Sight Engineering Support for these pistols to be produced under license in Argentina…all being named the Sistema-Colt Modelo 1927. Production concluding in 1966.
My particular Sistema -Colt was made in 1945 and served in the Argentine Army ( Ejercito). Once removed from frontline service it was Sterilized of Government markings, Re-Arsenaled and placed in storage.
The Modelo 1927 and its follow on counterpart the Ballester Molina, also im .45ACP were replaced by a Browning Hi also built in country and under license from Fabrique Nationale of Herstal Belgium.
My two examples of the Ballester Molina are both Re-Arsenald. The Army variant Blued and the Navy parkerized.
Argentina stored everything in Re-Arsenaled condition after removal from Military or Military then Government use until economic downturns forced them to sell these off to Importers like Interarms for example of the U.S. and UK. ( see Samuel Cummings).
For those interested …the Sistema-Colt and the Ballester Molina share 4 common parts.
My next goal is to aquire a second Sistema Colt with all the Army markings left intact.
Here are my Argentinian Sluggers.
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