Hafdasa Ballester–Molina "Armada Argentina" .45 ACP, 5" Barrel, 7+1, 1946 Argentine Navy Contract Pistol
This Hafdasa Ballester–Molina is a 1946 Argentine Navy contract pistol marked "Armada Argentina" with the national crest on the slide. It retains its distinct Ballester–Molina features, including the absence of a grip safety, a pivoted trigger, and a manual thumb safety. Notable inspection and rack markings, including a painted "42" on the slide, add to its documented service character.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There is heavy handling wear with rust visible on the frame. The hardwood grips show notable wear. The bore is bright with clearly defined lands and grooves.
What’s Included
- 1x 7-round steel single-column magazine with witness holes
Built by Hafdasa in Argentina, this full-size .45 ACP service pistol follows the Ballester–Molina pattern and the short-recoil, locked-breech, single-action system. It uses a standard 1911-type barrel bushing and a short recoil spring plug with concentric rings, pairing classic .45 ACP handling with rugged steel construction.
Contract and inspection markings are extensive. The left side of the slide bears the Argentine crest with "Armada Argentina," while the right side carries the caliber, the "Ballester–Molina" legend, and "Industria Argentina." Additional marks include a boxed "AP" cartouche on the left rear of the slide and a stylized "R" on the frame forward of the trigger. A painted rack or inspection number "42" is present on the top of the slide.
The design differs from the M1911A1 in several ways that are distinctive to the Ballester–Molina: a pivoted trigger, an altered safety system with a manual thumb safety, and a solid backstrap without a grip safety. An arched, vertically serrated mainspring housing with a lanyard ring supports duty carry, while the external hammer has a wide, checkered spur for positive control.
Sighting equipment consists of fixed sights, with a small blade front and a square/U-notch rear. The slide features rear vertical serrations and an unmodified ejection port consistent with period production.
Ergonomics and service features include hardwood grip panels with longitudinal flutes, a detachable single-column 7-round magazine with witness holes, and steel frame and receiver construction. This example is a contract-marked 1946 pistol with features and markings aligned to Argentine Navy procurement.