Colt Commando score!!!

[DWalt]

I was about to say the same thing. All Colt E and I frame revolvers should have dimensional interchangeability for grips. The only significant difference in the frames is that the E frame has the firing pin on the hammer and the I frame has its firing pin in the frame. The Commando is just the military version of the OP. I also remember reading that Ike carried one of them. Not that it was ever necessary. He probably had a squad of bodyguards protecting him everywhere he went. Even when he was with Kay Summersby.

 

[Retired W4]

According to Pate the OSS received 7,193 Commandos out of a total of 16,263 for military use. Colt letters are expensive, but you might be pleasantly surprised. Mine was shipped 13 March 1943 which was in between the first OSS shipment and Port Trans, Officer, Portland, CA. All very early in Commando production.

In addition, I find it strange that the OP's gun lacks the VP in triangle on the left forward triggerguard web.

BTW, the missing Ejector Rod Head is part # 30-E.

 

[jmpishnery]

I bought one years ago at a gun show in Detroit. No one was interested in it as everyone wanted a WWII .45. I figured I had nothing to lose seeing that it was in like new condition and appeared to have never been fired. Cost $75.00.

 

[Grimjaws]

Wow!

I bought one years ago at a gun show in Detroit. No one was interested in it as everyone wanted a WWII .45. I figured I had nothing to lose seeing that it was in like new condition and appeared to have never been fired. Cost $75.00.

And I thought I got a great deal! Wow!

 

[Nonno]

I bought one years ago at a gun show in Detroit. No one was interested in it as everyone wanted a WWII .45. I figured I had nothing to lose seeing that it was in like new condition and appeared to have never been fired. Cost $75.00.

If you're admitting that publicly I can only assume it was long enough ago that the statute of limitations has expired.

 

[BC38]

I was bored (always dangerous to my wallet) and decided to visit a few gun stores. One place is used for police qualifications along with armed guard training so it’s always crowded and very popular with the plastic pistol crowd. They tend to sometimes undervalue older revolvers since most of the crowd prefer the semi automatics.

I looked around and saw a great collection of Smith and Wesson revolvers recently gotten in as part of an estate sale.
- 37 no dash in fantastic shape, 36 flat latch but missing original grips and had a bobbed hammer, two nice 10-5 skinny barrels with some typical bluing loss , a nickel Victory model in 38 S&W, nice 18-2 and a Colt 1917. Prices were decent for the k frames between 350 -550. 18-2 was marked $600 while the 1917 was $900.

Off to one side was a Colt Commando not parkerized with the correct plastic grips. I asked to see it and realized that it was reblued at one point. But I could make out the Ordinance bomb on the upper frame. It locked up like a bank vault. The trigger must be 12-14 lbs but the smoothest double action pull I’ve ever felt. Serial number was 16666 putting it at 1942 manufactured. You could see a little bit of pitting on the side plate and cylinder but overall in nice shape. Barrel had perfect rifling. I could not believe it was in the case for over a month with no takers. They only made roughly 50,000 of these beauties and while the parkerized finish was gone it still had the original plastic stocks and felt perfectly balanced. And I could not resist the asking price.

The price for me out the door was….

$275 including tax and all permit fees!!

SCORE!!

Winna, winna, chicken dinna!
I'm not much of a Colt aficionado, but I'd take that deal all day any day! Gimme a half dozen at that price!
Nice score!

 

[RMFnLA]

Yeah I thought about selling the stocks but I like to keep them in the safe should I sell it down the line. I am now on the hunt for some wood grips at the upcoming show. I know there is a seller who had some older Colt stocks that I’ve seen in the past.

My son put Herrett grips on his 66-1 2.5” and asked what he should do with the original grips…those currently sit in my safe now.

I hate to admit it but that revolver fits my hand perfectly and I am loving the trigger…just don’t tell my S&Ws

S&W lock work is superior to older Colts, but Colts just feel better in the hand.