Need Info - Colt Commando

[PaulL]

I bought this Colt Commando and I'm looking for some info on it. I did some searching and found out that they made these parkerized guns during WWII and again in the '80s. What I couldn't find out for sure is whether it was still called the Commando if it was made in the '80s. So the big question is, is it a WWII revolver or a 1980s revolver? Either way, I figure it's in fair shape and will make a good shooter. I'd just like a little more background on it. Serial number is 4 digits - 99XX. If anybody has an approximate value, I'd be interested in that, too.


http://cl.ly/3q0m3B0d1e0z3S3V1M0D/_LP13726.jpg

http://cl.ly/1f262L0y3t2r3G3d3R42/_LP13723.jpg



I erased the last two digits of the serial number. Aperture's retouch tool works a little too well sometimes. I meant to make it a bit more obvious. :rolleyes:


http://cl.ly/3b2b2y1H2O3W1i0h133v/_LP13725.jpg

[theJanitor]

http://www.proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

probably a WWII gun

[Timbonez]

It's a WWII revolver. The serial number fits the era and it has no underlug for the ejector rod.

[PaulL]

Cool, thanks! :thank_you2:

[Lost River]

Cool looking old Colt.

I have an old Official Police from the 1930s that served as a "House Gun" for my girlfriend, now wife. The frame is rather large, for a person with small hands but she handled it fine and it was/is a very accurate shooter. It has since been replaced by other handguns.

Mine has heavy wear on the right grip panel as if it was worn in a flap holster for a long period of time and is stamped "JPD" on the butt.

Seeing your old Colt reminds me that I need to take mine out and shoot my old Colt some. Pics of the Official Police:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/officialpolice001.jpg


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/officialpolice002.jpg

[okie john]

That's a WWII gun. Consider Colt's equivalent of S&W's Victory Model.

On a side note, that revolver uses the same frame and lockwork as a Python, so if you could find someone who knows how to do a proper trigger job on vintage Colt lockwork, then you could turn it into something of a wolf in sheep's clothing.


Okie John

[PaulL]

That's not a bad idea. I'm going to shoot it tomorrow and see how accurate it is. I opened up the side plate and cleaned out quite a bit of gunk, but everything looks to be in good shape with no excessive wear. I suspect some general TLC would go a long way.

[gunnut284]

IIRC the '80s Commando was basically a matte finish Detective Special. Almost bought one a few year back, should have. As others have said, that appears to be the older one.

[CAVDOC]

the ww2 era handguns are quite collectible- may be worth sending to colt for a historical letter on the gun- it will tell you where the gun was shipped and on what date.with both colt and smith revolvers of the period, it can be rather mundane- like 200 shipped to a military wharehouse or security force at a defense plant(the later being the primary use for such Colt guns in WW2) but sometimes a historically significant person or organization (like the oss) is involved which can make for pretty interesting history and research.I beleive the fee from colt for such is still 100 bucks.
Do not let ANYONE mess with the internals of this gun- too historically significant for that- any any mistakes are hard to undo with limited parts availability today- and what ever you do don't screw up a historical item with modifications or refinish

[PaulL]

After shooting, I've decided this sucker is just fine as is. I agree with CAVDOC - it's better left alone. I was getting about an inch at 15 yards, and that will do just fine. The finish looks pretty bad, but it doesnt shoot like it's worn out. I'm guessing it just rode in a holster a lot.

On a side note, I'm somewhat ignorant of what exactly to look for regarding timing or proper gap on these things. Do any of you guys have a link to a checklist of sorts for function/quality-checking a revolver? I know a bad problem if I see it, but I wouldn't be using my current level of knowledge to drop any serious coin on used revolvers.