SOLD - HAFDASA Ballester-Molina Rig - Argentine Colt 1911A1

Description

2/22/22 - This is an excellent example of a HAFDASA Ballester-Molina pistol manufactured in Argentine in 1944. The Ballester-Molina Pistol, originally known as Ballester-Rigaud (and marked as such during the first years of manufacture, circa 1938 to 1940), were made in Argentina by the Hispano Argentina de Automotives SA (HAFDASA) company. Manufacture started in 1938 in an attempt to provide Argentinean police and military with a less expensive alternative to the Colt Modelo 1927 Pistol, a domestically made licensed copy of the American Colt M1911A1 pistol. Production of the Ballester-Molina ceased in the early 1950s. This one is all matching and comes as a rig with a unique leather holster and three period-correct magazines that are numbered but do not match the gun. It has retained roughly 80% of its original finish. There is somewhat scratchy wear along both sides of the slide, most noticeable on the left side. There is also spotty, scratchy wear on the front strap. Comes with period-correct grips - there are small chips in the wood here and there. The bore has strong rifling with areas of minor pin-pricking here and there.