If you looked at this puppy and thought Colt Government Model 1911, you’d be close especially if you saw Colt’s 1973 Catalogue. They were going to do a Pony.
This one is marked as an Iver Johnson Pony Cal 380, made in Jacksonville, AR sometime between 1978 and 1992. If it were an Iver Johnson Arms, Pistol, cal. .380, U.S. Border Patrol 60th Anniversary commemorative, serial USBP 0001 to USBP 5000, it would be worth some bucks, but it’s not.
After Iver Johnson moved to Arkansas they manufactured 35,000 of these as the X300 Model. According to Bill Goforth’s records this one was made in 1985, 28 years ago.
These Little Gals were originally manufactured and designed by Star, a Spanish Company, who had been making some great semi-automatics since the early 1900s. If you recognize a taste of Browning design in it, you’re correct. Star was importing them back in the 60’s as the Star/DK Model, imported as Starfires.
But the Gun Control Act of 1968 put a stop to all that, since it restricted foreign imports, and the use of foreign manufactured parts. Size also mattered.
FI has cooked a deal with Colt and they were going to manufacture these little 1911 Style 380’s under the Colt Name. But the deal fell through. FI/Garcia continued to market the weapons a few showed up bearing the FI Model D with the serial prefix "CPA" (for Colt Pony Auto"?). That’s how close the deal was. Colt use the Star Design and produces a larger Government Model .380.
In 1978 Iver Johnson buys FI and starts manufacturing the “Pony”. They stopped making them around 1991. Rumors are a foot on the internet that the “New” Iver Johnson Company is considering reintroducing the Pony. If you’ve seen or handled the new Colt Mustang Pocketlite 380 ACP a heavy metal Pony might just work. Especially considering the price tag on the Colt.
This one is in great shape. Say 90%. I brought her home and disassembled it. The white line on the magazine and lower receiver are from some heavy duty grease. This one shows no pocket or holster wear and was fired very little. Back in their day they were a popular weapon for use as a BUG or an inexpensive weapon for home defense.
Well worth the $255.00 I paid for it. It’s another one of those old firearms that people either loved or hated. I’ll have to get her on the range and see how she works.
