Make: Colt

Model: Commando

Serial Number: 17127

Year of Manufacture: 1943

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: 6-Shot, DA/SA Double and Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver.

Barrel Length: 2”

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch integral to the topstrap.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered "Coltwood" plastic with molded Colt medallions and smooth borders. The grips have only a few scattered minor marks. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well-defined. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Refinished, possibly Arsenal Refurbished

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, just a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There is infrequent minor erosion under the finish, most notable on the cylinder latch. There are a few small tool marks at the sideplate screws. The action shows minor operational wear including a thin, light turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition as refinished.

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: This Commando Revolver comes with a Colt Archives letter. The letter confirms that this revolver shipped May 14, 1943 to the U.S. Army Consolidating Station in New York, NY for the Transportation Officer at the San Francisco Port of Embarkation Oakland Branch in Oakland, California as one of 500 guns of the same type in the shipment.

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 result was the Commando revolver, of which 50,617 were produced from 1942-1945.

This example was shipped to the U.S. Army Consolidating Station in New York, bound for the Oakland Branch of the San Francisco Port of Embarkation in 1943. Unlike the majority, this Commando features a factory 2” barrel, sometimes called a “Junior Commando”. These short barreled variants were produced in fewer numbers, and were found useful for roles where a smaller revolver was desirable such as air crews, OSS operatives or plainclothes military police. This revolver will certainly make a fine addition to any Colt or WWII small arms collection. Good luck and happy bidding!