Out of storage

Probably been in storage since the late 70’s.   Value?

Condition is everything. It is hard to tell from the photos. It would be useful to know the caliber and if there are any accessories, paperwork and test target. This would be of interest more as a collector piece than a match gun. You might get some information on the pistol by contacting https://clarkcustomguns.com/

BE Mike wrote:Condition is everything. It is hard to tell from the photos. It would be useful to know the caliber and if there are any accessories, paperwork and test target. This would be of interest more as a collector piece than a match gun. You might get some information on the pistol by contacting https://clarkcustomguns.com/

Clark was of very little help. But was leaning toward “ball gun” it is .45 acp. If my Father had it made for himself I’m thinking ball gun? I have the original Colt box, manual. Two targets, factory ammo, two types but says nothing about the bullet type. The pistol is a Colt 1970 Gov. model Mark IV/series70, inside the slide is the Colt mark matching the slide to the frame and the date by Clark 12/74, and last but not least is the mimeograph warranty and instructions from JE Clark

Definitely not a ballgun, as it is a longslide.

chiz1180 wrote:Definitely not a ballgun, as it is a longslide.

Clark disagrees. They said if it was a heavy slide he would think wadcutter.

Condition I would have to say 99%

Cmysix wrote:

chiz1180 wrote:Definitely not a ballgun, as it is a longslide.

Clark disagrees. They said if it was a heavy slide he would think wadcutter.

ballguns never have been able to be 6" guns, always 5".

Can’t read the Clark etching.
Long slide wad gun.
‘74 predates glass, so I think a special wadgun.
Show pics of targets.

james r chapman wrote:Can’t read the Clark etching.
Long slide wad gun.
‘74 predates glass, so I think a special wadgun.
Show pics of targets.

The etching just says “Clark “ longslide .45. Keithville la 71047

This is a typical series 70 colt long slide. It has a Bomar mini rib so it is not considered a heavy slide because it does not have a full length rail. Curious if your barrel has any markings on it? Or is it a two piece barrel? You would see a seam where a new barrel was stubbed into an old Colt  barrel. 
They have been selling on gun broker for $1400-$1600.
Jon

Jon Eulette wrote:This is a typical series 70 colt long slide. It has a Bomar mini rib so it is not considered a heavy slide because it does not have a full length rail. Curious if your barrel has any markings on it? Or is it a two piece barrel? You would see a seam where a new barrel was stubbed into an old Colt  barrel. 
They have been selling on gun broker for $1400-$1600.
Jon

OKAY, are you ready! The barrel says. smith&wesson u.s.a. MTU.   And here is the targets

Provenance!!

The MTU barrels shot excellent. I’ve had a few.
Jon

Jon Eulette wrote:The MTU barrels shot excellent. I’ve had a few.
Jon

Any.more info? On the barrel? I thought he custom made the barrels. What is S&W mtu? Do you think this would be a swc gun?

And you said “74 predates glad” meaning?

Glass

Glass optics

MTU

https://www.29palms.marines.mil/Training/mtu/

Cmysix wrote:

Jon Eulette wrote:The MTU barrels shot excellent. I’ve had a few.
Jon

Any.more info? On the barrel? I thought he custom made the barrels. What is S&W mtu? Do you think this would be a swc gun?

MTU= Marksmanship Training unit, back in the day S&W made barrels for the MTU to a given specification. In they day it was a very good barrel and likely still will shoot well. Clark did a bunch of different things over the years and today many of his guns have had additional modifications from other smiths, so hard and fast rules don't necessarily apply. Your gun likely will shoot swc as well as any from the time period.

james r chapman wrote:MTU

https://www.29palms.marines.mil/Training/mtu/

I don’t think these were made for Corps, they were made for the Army MTU. Both 38 spl and 45.
Jon

Oh ok.

Now I’m wondering what the military was using in 45acp that had a 6 inch barrel? Didn’t put it under a microscope. But did not see any signs of mating

MTU barrels came in 6”. Armorer’s cut them down to 5”.
Clark used to sometimes make two piece barrels; typically 38 spl.
Jon

This pistol was accurized to shoot NRA "Conventional Pistol" now called "Precision Pistol" matches. It is built with the intention of shooting .45 ACP caliber ammunition with 185 grain or 200 grain bullets and a reduced powder charge in what are called 2700 matches, where the maximum points that can be obtained is 2700 (has never been done in registered matches). Further, these matches are shot with one hand, outdoors, at 50 and 25 yards. Wadgun refers to the type of ammo that the pistol is intended for...wadcutter ammo. Those 10 shot test targets were fired from a machine rest at 50 yards. Clark Custom has long ago lost their interest and knowledge of these guns. I was hoping that they might have had some records to help you, but apparently they either don't have the records or are not interested in taking the time to look them up. When Jim Clark, Sr. was alive, things were much different. I can say that from personal experience. 

Back when this pistol was sold, hardball pistols, referred to DCM; later CMP matches which were shot with pistols that except for adjustable sights, looked externally like the current military service pistol of the period, now referred to as a 1911 (1911a1). The maximum barrel length was 5". Competitors used 230 grain, full power, factory .45 ACP ammo in these pistols. Matches were shot with one hand at 25 and 50 yards, but were of only 30 shots. The top 10% of shooters at each match were awarded points (depending on how they placed) towards the much coveted Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge. There were other rules, limiting the number of matches that could be entered and regarding the pistol used.

Cmysix wrote:Now I’m wondering what the military was using in 45acp that had a 6 inch barrel? Didn’t put it under a microscope. But did not see any signs of mating

Jim Clark Sr. Built MANY longslide 1911s and his joining of the slide extension to the slide is excellent and, no doubt, accompanied by similarly excellent re-bluing.
That 1911, or more-correctly Colt's Government Model, MkIV Series 70, was not a military pistol. Aside from competition or "special application", Uncle Sam has never issued a 6" barreled 1911. The MTU barrel was probably sourced by Clark when S&W produced them for the MTU (now USAMU), just as 'smiths now procure Kart, Bar-Sto or KKM barrels.  Every so often a manufacturer has overrun from the contract and sells them.  Clark most likely had this barrel in the "45acp 6" barrel" bin when it was this pistol's turn on the bench.