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Colt Challanger

roadhunter02roadhunter02 Member Posts: 59 ✭✭
edited March 2013 in Ask the Experts
I have a Colt Challenger (I Believe)the serial number comes back to being made 1951 but it has no markings of being a Colt. Other than on the magazines. Does anyone know why it was never stamped?
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Comments

  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If it is indeed a Challenger, and has a wooden foregrip, then it is a Browning, not a Colt. I am not 100 percent sure, but I think, possibly the Colt magazines might fit them.

    Best
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  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Does it look like this one?
    http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=330831494

    My first guess is yours was buffed very hard (to remove pitting from wet leather holster damage taking most of the markings) prior to re-bluing and aftermarket grips.

    Second maybe it's a knock off copy.

    Maybe a legendary lunch box special.
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  • roadhunter02roadhunter02 Member Posts: 59 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The patina on this gun is original, it appears to never been sanded or buffed, the serial number is crisp. Clearly it has never had the Colt emblem. Could you tell me more about the "lunch box special" please?
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  • roadhunter02roadhunter02 Member Posts: 59 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes it does look like the one you sent, but it has a shorter barrel and no markings
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Both the Browning and Colt Challenger .22 pistols are well marked in numerous places. Not likely your going to run across one with no markings. Unless they have been deliberately removed, as per Charlie's theories.

    It would be best if you could post quality photos of the pistol. They might help clear up the mystery? Their is a sticky on our header page, that gives instructions for posting photos.

    EDIT #1, A knock-off of the Colt Woodsman was made in Argentina during the 50's/60's time frame. As per this photo off the net. It's possible some wise guy got his hands on one and deliberately removed the markings? So it would appear to be a Colt. There are also Woodsman knock-offs coming out of China now.

    cb890a8aea4c41e857e286de206580b0.jpg
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  • roadhunter02roadhunter02 Member Posts: 59 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    showphoto.php?photo=790461&ppuser=71167

    DSCN10411.JPG

    DSCN10391.JPG
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  • roadhunter02roadhunter02 Member Posts: 59 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I can not get the pictures up but here is the address you can copy and paste then look at them http://www.hunt101.com/showphoto.php?photo=790461&ppuser=71167 and http://www.hunt101.com/showphoto.php?photo=790460&ppuser=71167
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  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That pistol was storied in something tha held moisture bad [xx(]
    It rusted bad and they buffed it and reblued it. You can see the pits that wouldn't come out [B)] You are lucky that they could leave the seriar number readable [^]
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  • roadhunter02roadhunter02 Member Posts: 59 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would have to disagree , the serial number is crisp and clear . Also there is the letter 8 stamped on the right side , and a diamond on the left . To take out that much material on the left side would have left a dished out appearance or a un - even look to the slide . I do agree it has pitting but it is threw out the weapon On the grip where the magazine slides in it is stamped ODIN ALEX VA
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by roadhunter02
    I would have to disagree , the serial number is crisp and clear . Also there is the letter 8 stamped on the right side , and a diamond on the left . To take out that much material on the left side would have left a dished out appearance or a un - even look to the slide . I do agree it has pitting but it is threw out the weapon On the grip where the magazine slides in it is stamped ODIN ALEX VA




    That explains a lot regarding your pistol. Odin imported and sold as surplus guns, that were confiscated by the Mexican police. No telling what the history of your pistol is because of this. Or why it has been so crudely reworked. It's possible that Odin reworked the serial number to make it more legible so that it could be sold here in the States.

    EDIT #1, Mexico instituted draconian gun laws in the early 1970's. Prohibiting the manufacture and possession of firearms by the common folks. All the confiscated guns were picked over by the Federalies and the crooked politicions, and the valuable ones kept. From what I understand Odin got all the rest, that didn't have any great collector value and were just shooter grade.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rufe Snow has the correct answer to your question. I made many trips to ODIN when they started getting these guns . Many Pre War 38 SUPERS
    however 98% of every thing had beemn road hard put away wet. Many classic Winchester Lever guns had a section of car or truck tire fitted as a Butt Plate. [^]. A firearm collectors worst nightmare
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