Make: Colt

Model: Commercial ACE

Serial Number: 2071

Year of Manufacture: 1931, 1st Year Production

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic with Exposed Hammer and Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 4 3/4"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have light handling wear. There is some discoloration, most notable around the bottom screws. There are a few minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original, the slide is serial-matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8+/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is handling wear in the grip areas. There are scattered nicks, scratches and scuffing. There is a light "idiot mark" on the left of the frame below the slide stop. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 10-round two-tone magazine and hinge-lid maroon cardboard Colt box with model-matching label. There is no visible serial marking on the bottom of the box. The floorplate is marked "COLT / ACE (in diamond) / 22 L.R.".

Our Assessment: This is an early Colt Commercial Ace. The development of the Ace began in 1915 as Colt attempted to create a .22 caliber pistol based on the 1911 Government model design. The first Ace was assembled in 1930 and nearly 11,000 were made through 1947. While the intent was to produce a .22 version of the Government model, the Ace has a 1/4" shorter barrel, functions as a blowback rather than tilt-barrel and has significantly less recoil than the Government model, as compared with the later Service Model Ace.

This is serial 2071, an early production pistol which would make a fine target pistol or recreational plinker, but would also make a great addition to a Colt collection. It retains original finish as well as a serial-matching slide, desirable traits for the collectors. It also retains a nice bore and strong mechanics. Whatever your interest in this Ace, it will be a fine addition to any safe in America. Please see our photos and good luck!