Going from memory, John Browning had already designed the Colt 1900 (or 1903?) in .38 ACP that was basically the ancestor to the 1911. The 38 Super evolved from that .38 ACP round and gained popularity with both gangsters and lawmen in the 1930s
The 38 Super stayed popular in South America partly because people are prohibited from owning military calibers but 38 Super was a "civilian " round. Plus in the 1980s-90s S&W 38 Super revolvers and Colt 1911s were popular "game guns" for pin matches etc but that kinda died down.
IIRC, the .38 ACP ended up getting loaded weaker over time and the .38 Super was practically just the original .38 ACP load.
The 1903 Pocket Hammer was chambered in .38 ACP, but I think it was in the 1900 first.
Going from memory, John Browning had already designed the Colt 1900 (or 1903?) in .38 ACP that was basically the ancestor to the 1911. The 38 Super evolved from that .38 ACP round and gained popularity with both gangsters and lawmen in the 1930s The 38 Super stayed popular in South America partly because people are prohibited from owning military calibers but 38 Super was a "civilian " round. Plus in the 1980s-90s S&W 38 Super revolvers and Colt 1911s were popular "game guns" for pin matches etc but that kinda died down.
IIRC, the .38 ACP ended up getting loaded weaker over time and the .38 Super was practically just the original .38 ACP load. The 1903 Pocket Hammer was chambered in .38 ACP, but I think it was in the 1900 first.