Dgfm-fmap

[orgdp]

need some help on this one.1911a1 style,DGFM-FMAP on the left slide, appears to be original dark black blue finish,argentine crest on the right slide, serial 86342, black checkered grips, no import marks, a six sided shape left rear slide forward of the hammer.alot of bits and pieces but maybe someone can make it gel; age also?

 

[dfariswheel]

Sorry, I forgot what the letters actually mean, but this 1911 is an Argentine military issue, made under license of Colt, and known as a "Colt Sistema".

DGFM-FMAP are letters standing for the manufacturer.

The Argentines adopted the Colt in the early 1920's.
Their first guns were 1911 models actually built here in the US by Colt.

As part of the deal, Colt quickly built a manufacturing plant in Argentina and built the guns there with US supplied machinery and under US control and management.

Later, they manufactured the 1911-A1 version also, but by this time the factory was under full Argentine control.

After the contracts expired, as is usual in South America, the factory and machinery became the property of the Argentines.

Years later, they began producing frames and slides for Springfield Armory, Inc who still assemble and finish them here.

The Argentine Colt's are usually considered to be about the equal of US government 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols as made in the US.

 

[ulflyer]

My memory is failing me, but I think the second set of letters stand for the service that the Systema's were provided to: Police, Army, Navy, Air Force. Can't mistake the AF model as it has a pretty little set of wings on it. Based on your serial nr, yours is one made in the later years of production.

Also I think they were made well into the '50's. Originally they were all blued just like Colts used to be, but most of what you see in the U.S. have been refinished in a matte blue or sometimes a shiny matte. If it has the original barrel it will be numbered to match the serial nr on the frame and slide. A great many, especially the Police and Army guns were hard used..or handled, and the barrels have been replaced. Also many of these have a lot of surface pitting.

I have had several in past years and they are decent guns but not worth the high dollar that is being asked now by many dealers, IMHO. A good used Colt or new Springer can be had for the same money. Depends on what floats your boat tho.

 

[Cacique500]

Argentina Colt Sistema. Yours was made in 1955.

Any chance you can post a pic of the 'six sided shape'? That's something I'm not familiar with and haven't seen on any of my Sistemas.

You can also read a brief background on the Sistema here.

Direccion General de Fabricaciones Militares (D.G.F.M.), the “Military Manufacturing Agency.”

Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles (F.M.A.P.), “Small Arms Factory”

Hope that helps!

 

[Jim Watson]

dfaris,
I thot Springfields were made at Itajuba in Brazil, not Argentina.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Good information there.

Some additional may be found on the JLD site at - -
http://www.cruffler.com/JLD.html

Best,
Johnny

 

[orgdp]

GOOD INFORMATION THERE

Thanks Johnnie. Always count on you for good information.

 

[XavierBreath]

More info from Cruffler

My carry gun is a modified Sistema. They are fine 1911s.