These were manufactured in Argentina from 1938 to 1953. From 1938 to 1940 they were called Ballester Rigaud and after that Ballester Molina. They resemble a 1911 but only on the outside. They are really more akin to a Star than a Colt. I believe the only parts interchangeable with a colt is magazine, barrel and bushing. These were just a cheaper to manufacture alternative to the 1927 Sistema which is a 1911 clone. Gendarmeria Nacional is the border guards of Argentina.
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man, that thing looks almost brand new. very nice sir.
Thank you Sir.
That is a great example that you have. They are known to be well made and very reliable. One thing that many people don’t realize is how well made many of the weapons from WWI & WWII are. Of course as the wars progressed the finishing touches were skipped to increase production numbers but they were still well made. So many of our weapons today come from many of the innovations that these weapons pioneered.
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I would go as far as to say most of the weapons today.
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