Argentine Hafdasa Ballester Molina 45acp 1911 C&R W/ Holster + 2 Magazines

Up for auction is an Argentine Hafdasa Ballester Molina Pistol Chambered in 45ACP. This 1911 inspired design is compatible with colt 1911 magazines. This pistol features some distinct design ques that separate it from its american counterpart. The lack of a grip safety, integral spring assy, and slightly differently shaped grips and safety. One really cool quirk about these guns is that they are all stamped with the particular government branch that they were assigned to, this one in particular is an Argentine Army version. Date of manufacture is unknown but the pistols were manufactured C. 1937-1953. This particular example comes with the full kit it would have been issued with, it’s holster, and 2 spare mags.

The Ballester–Molina was designed to offer the Argentine Federal Police and other armed forces a cheaper alternative to the “Sistema Colt Modelo 1927”, itself a licensed copy of the Colt M1911A1, built under the supervision of Colt engineers. Production of the Ballester–Molina began in 1938 and ceased in 1953. The Sistema Colt 1927 was manufactured until 1966, outliving its intended successor by more than two decades. The company’s history dates back to 1929, when two Spaniard entrepreneurs, Arturo Ballester and Eugenio Molina, established a branch of Hispano-Suiza in Buenos Aires, “Hispano-Argentina S.A.”. Years later, HAFDASA hired two engineers, Frenchman Rorice Rigaud and Carlos Ballester–Molina, a relative of the founders. Rigaud became the chief designer of the firm, while Ballester–Molina was appointed chief executive officer.As the Ballester–Molina was designed to serve alongside the Modelo 1927 that was currently in Argentine service, it bears a striking resemblance to the Colt M1911A1. The Ballester–Molina and the M1911 share an identical seven-round magazine, barrel, recoil spring, and barrel bushing. Although many other parts appear identical at first glance, they are not; only the barrel and magazine are interchangeable. The Ballester–Molina is also known as HAFDASA, after the initials of its manufacturer.