Make: Colt
Model: Commando
Serial Number: 50143
Year of Manufacture: 1943
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: 6-Shot, DA/SA Double and Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver.
Barrel Length: 4"
Sights/Optics: The front sight has been altered to install a Metro-Ramp sight assembly with a yellow synthetic insert blade and serrated, ramped base. The rear sight is a square notch integral to the top strap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered "Coltwood" plastic with molded Colt medallions and smooth borders. The grips have a few light nicks and scratches, mostly around the edges. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore, mostly near the muzzle. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is light wear along each side of the barrel. The grip areas show handling wear. There is scattered minor surface oxidation. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a couple of more notable nicks on the right of the barrel. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear, portions of the barrel address are covered by the sight ramp. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: As the United States entered World War II, demand for all things military strained even the massive industrial capacity of America. Frontline arms were prioritized for frontline units, but there was also a need to arm law enforcement, guards at factories, and other sites with strategic importance, such the Maritime Commission and various other non-combat roles which still required arms. To help fill this demand, Colt produced a variation of their Official Police revolver with specifications set by the US Government. The design of the revolver was the same as the Official Police, but production was made less expensive and faster by forgoing Colt's typical high polish and bluing, in favor of parkerizing over a rough polish as well as deleting the checkering on the trigger and cylinder latch. The result was the Commando revolver, of which 50,617 were produced from 1942-1945.
This example does not have any government inspection marks and is from the last 500 revolvers in the production run. Since making its way into civilian ownership, it has been equipped with a vintage Metro-Ramp front sight, giving quickly-acquired, clear sight picture. This will be a neat find for those who like the Commando and actually want to shoot it. Please see our photos and good luck!
