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The "National Match"
M1911 Pistols
The National Match M1911 Pistols are hand fitted and tuned
for the National Match competitions which began at Caldwell, NJ and
became the Camp Perry match. Among their numbers are some of the most
beautiful and accurate pistols ever built.
The problem with the "National Match"
pistols is that there are two kinds: the "National Match"
pistols which were built by government armorers for the Army
Marksmanship Unit for the Camp Perry competition, and the Colt
National Match pistols which were produced by Colt for the retail
market. An example of the government-built pistols is the "Drake
Slide National Match" worth about $1200 in 100% condition.
The old National Match Colts made between 1933 and
1941 bring $2700 to $3600 in 100% condition. The models with
adjustable sights bring approximately $700 more. These pistols
differed from the standard grade because they incorporated a match
barrel, checked trigger, checked mainspring housing, walnut stocks and
the internal parts were hand-honed. Also included on later versions
were a ramped front sight and an adjustable rear sight. These models
were marked "NATIONAL MATCH COLT Automatic Calibre .45" on
the left side of the slide. During World War II, the National Match
Model was discontinued, but resumed in 1957.
In 1957 Colt began to produce "Gold Cup
National Match" pistols which they produced until 1970. In 100%
condition, these pistols are worth about $1000. There was then a
"Series 70 Gold Cup National Match, produced between 1970 and
1983. These bring $950 or better in 100% condition. Between 1983 and
1996, Colt produced the "Gold Cup MKIV Series 80 National
Match." The are worth about $800 in 100% condition. The current
marking is "Gold Cup Trophy" begun in 1997.
 History of the "National Match"
Pistol
By 1919 there were National matches, first at
Caldwell NJ and then later at Camp Perry, Ohio. Henry "Fitz"
FitzGerald, as Colt's representative, did a thriving business at Camp
Perry replacing barrels and tuning triggers starting in 1920.
While we might think of these as "match"
guns and they were, they were also fighting guns. The US Border
Patrol, all the US services and many Police Departments fielded teams
to shoot these matches. Most of the LE people used the same guns they
used on the street. Enlisted men and Junior Officers alike carried and
used the guns they shot. (Interestingly enough, then Lt. George Patton
disdained the 1911 because of an AD incident in 1916 while re-holstering
his.)
In 1932, at the National Matches, Colt introduced
it's first National Match Model. More smoothly fitted than the
Commercial Model, it was soon made available with the Stevens
adjustable rear sight, as is also found on the early model Ace
.22 conversion units.
This pistol's production was curtailed upon our entry into WWII and
not continued after the war's end.
By 1933 Colt was offering a "National
Match" pistol from the factory. Little more than a slightly tuned
1911A1. They were most likely found in the cabinet of a well-to-do
gentleman or the holster of a LE officer who was also an astute
gunman.
 By the late '30s "Fitz" was joined by
other's who specialized in the 1911 as a fighting tool and as a match
gun. You have to remember that hitting the target was a real issue for some
of the men who came to Camp Perry. Many times their practice was on
moving targets who shot back!
In 1954 the Army began to experiment with match
grade pistols. As they learned what improved accuracy and what the
shooters preferred, changes were made. Some of the early Army National
Match pistols had variations such as plastic triggers or rubber front
strap covers. Large fixed rear sights were standard with micro adj.
sights as an option by 1959. Hard slides were made for these pistols.
The early slides were made by Colt with normal Colt markings. Colt's
second Match slide was unmarked on the left side except for part #
7790314 . The third type slide had serrations like the Gold Cup and
the Part # 791435. This slide was also made by the Drake Manufacturing
Co. These pistols were periodically returned to the Armory and
updated. The latter triggers were made of aluminum. Production was
halted by the closing of Springfield Armory.
"Around 1957 or 1958 several commercial
gunsmiths submitted guns for testing to see how they compared with
the National Match guns turned out by Springfield Armory. As I
recall (remember this was more than 40 years ago), the only
gunsmith whose gun topped the NM guns was George Elliason from
Detroit, MI. Anyway, Jack Maple invented some of the tools used by
other gunsmiths to accurize the M1911." – Robert Pruden
 In 1957 Colt re-introduced it's NM in a much changed
version. Known as the Gold Cup it had adjustable sights, a wider
trigger with a stop and many cosmetic and practical changes. The slide
was lightened as much as possible by internal machining to allow it to
function well with wad cutter ammo. This weakened the slide for hot
loads and the pistol quickly got a reputation as a wad cutter only
pistol. These cuts were eliminated in the new Series 70 Model so it is
stronger. The barrel on the Gold Cup has a narrower hood than the
Government model so it is not readily interchangeable. A hood can be
cut down satisfactorily with a little filing. A special barrel bushing
was made for this model with a 45 degree angle on the recoil spring
plug and a mating cut in the bushing. This bushing was eliminated when
the Mark IV/Series ' 70 was introduced.
"Upon returning from Southeast Asia in May
of 1968, my cousin and I bought identical Colt National Match
pistols. As you know, these were the forerunners to the "Gold
Cups". The old style National Match had the solid bushing
rather than the collet type used in the Gold Cups. The guns had a
much lighter slide and came with a weaker (10-11 lb.) recoil
spring than the government models.
Our pistols were equipped with a match trigger
utilizing an adjustable over-travel stop, Elliason adjustable
sights and a wide front sight. The finish was Colt's "Royal
Blue", to this day, the most beautiful finish I've ever seen
on a gun. The bluing looked six inches deep.
A test target came with my
gun, stating that it
had been fired from a Ransom pistol rest at 50 feet. The five shot
group measured a little under 1.400", however my best ever
hand held group was 2.00" at 50 feet with my 23 or 24 year
old eyes. It was the second most accurate handgun I've ever fired,
falling only behind a six inch Ruger Security Six that was target
tuned by me." – Willy Robinson
In 1958 the Air Force begin to intensify their
competitive marksmanship program. The Air Force Marksmanship school,
which trained range instructors, became the nucleus of this activity.
By 1960 they were installing special barrels, bushings, triggers and
sights and hand fitting their pistols. These pistols were designated
AFPG or Air Force Premium Grade. The earlier models were just marked A
F. While the total production of these conversions is unknown, ten
thousand would be in the ball park, probably. The accuracy requirement
of these pistols was to fire, from a machine rest, three consecutive
ten shot groups at 50 yards, with no group exceeding 3" (center
to center). Some of these pistols were built up Army National Match
and early Gold Cup Models. A custom section built up weapons for the
top AF shooters (Blue Team). These pistols were often customized with
extended front sights, muzzle weights, etc., and were marked AFPG
also. An H or W was stamped on the barrel to indicate a hardball or
wad cutter model. The Gunsmith's mark was placed on the right side,
below the magazine.
Variations
Match .38 AMU –
Chambering a .38 Special rimless cartridge, this variation was
manufactured by Colt from a .38 Super frame and has .38 Super
serialization with a .38 AMU conversion kit slide. The Army took .45
frames and assembled their guns using .38 AMU kits with a blued
finish.
Super Match .38 – This
pistol is like the Super .38 but had a hand-honed action and match
grade barrel. Manufactured between 1935 and 1946, there were both
fixed and adjustable sight variants.
Drake Slide National Match –
Drake made slides only for use by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit to
allow assembly of match guns. The 1964 National Match pistols are
unique as it was the only year the armory used Drake slides which are
specially machined and hardened. According to Springfield Armory
records only 800 pistols were produced in 1964 (Considered to be one
of the rarest and most desired variations) and only 195 sold to
civilians through the DCM.
Government National Match Reworks
– These pistols were assembled by government armorers with all parts
marked "NM" and had a parkerized finish. Most will have
"S.A." markings for Springfield Armory.
Air Force National Match
– These are government National Match reworks made specifically for
the Air Force Shooting team. They will have "AFPG" or "A.F."
stamped
on the slide.
Colt National Match –
Chambered in .45 ACP, these were basically Government Model pistols
with hand honed actions, match grade barrels, and exceptionally fine
blued finish. They were manufactured between 1933 and 1941. Their
serial number range will be within C164,800 – C215,000. These pistols
came in both fixed sight and adjustable sight models.
Gold Cup National Match
– Introduced in 1957 in .45 ACP, the Gold Cup National Match was
fitted with a match grade barrel, collet-style bushing, flat
mainspring housing, long adjustable stop trigger, a hand fitted slide
with an enlarged ejection port and adjustable target sights. It had
the gold medallion in the grips and "NM" suffix on the
serial number. These pistols were manufactured between 1957 and 1970.
Gold Cup MKIII National Match
– Chambered in .38 Special rimless, this pistol was like the Gold
Cup National Match. Serial numbers have "NMR" or "MR"
suffixes. These pistols were manufactured between 1961 and 1974.
MKIV/Series 70 Gold Cup National Match
– Chambered in .45 ACP, these pistols have a flat mainspring
housing, accurizer barrel and bushing, adjustable trigger, target
hammer, solid rib and Colt-Elliason sight. They were manufactured
between 1970 and 1983.
MKIV/Series 70 Gold Cup 75th Anniversary
National Match – Similar to the Gold Cup
Series 70, except it was built as a commemorative for Camp Perry in
1978. Only 200 pistols were built.
Gold Cup MKIV Series 80 National Match
– Chambered in .45 ACP, this pistol has Colt-Elliason adjustable
rear sight, wide groove adjustable target trigger, under cut front
sight, flat mainspring housing, and hand-honed internal parts. In 1992
they were modified to accept 8-round magazines. These pistols were
manufactured between 1983 and 1996.
Variants:
Stainless Gold Cup National Match
– Same as Gold Cup but built in stainless steel with a matte
finish between 1986 and 1996.
.38 Super Elite National Match –
This is a two-tone gun having a stainless slide and blued frame
which was a special edition by Accu-Sports.
Bullseye National Match –
Chambered in .45 ACP, this pistol was hand built, tuned and
adjusted by Colt gunsmiths for precise match accuracy. It includes
factory installed Bomar sights, a carrying case and 2 extra
magazines. Manufactured from 1991 through 1992.
Presentation Gold Cup –
Chambered in .45 ACP, this pistol is like the Gold Cup Series 80
National Match but adorned with a deep blue mirror bright finish
and accented by a jeweled hammer, trigger and barrel hood.
Supplied with oak and velvet custom case and Manufactured between
1991 and 1992.
Gold Cup Trophy –
Chambered in .45 ACP, this pistol has a flat mainspring housing, 7
or 8 round magazines, accurizer barrel and bushing, adjustable
trigger, Colt-Elliason sight, checkered wrap-around rubber grips and
ships with a test target. Built since 1997. This model replaced the
MKIV/Series 80 Gold Cup National Match in 1997 and is only available
from the Colt Custom Shop. It also comes in a stainless steel
version.
See also National Match Production Notes on Ty Moore's site
This page is really a work in progress. If you have
some historical information on the National Match Pistols, the
champions who shot them or the gunsmiths who built them, send me a
message here:
Note: Please do not ask me to give
you a price or valuation of your gun. I can't do that over the
internet,
and I am not a gun trader so I am not up on the latest market prices
for collector guns.
Special thanks to Sam Headrick, Andy
Wander, and Dane Burns for
contributions to this article.
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