Synopsis:

Attractive Colt Lightweight Commander in .45ACP, blued slide/black anodized frame, made 1965, with appropriately aged aftermarket shipping box.

Description:

Introduced in 1950, this standard configuration Colt Lightweight Commander, blued slide with black anodized frame, cal. .45 ACP, SN:45824-LW, made 1965, with 4¼" barrel, fixed front sight and drift adjustable rear sight. The left side of the slide is marked "COMMANDER * MODEL * / COLT / AUTOMATIC / CALIBER .45" with the rampant Colt logo. The right side of the slide is marked "COLT'S COMMANDER MODEL" with serial number "45824-LW" on the adjacent frame. In-the-white barrel with hood marked: "COLT .45 AUTO". Original dark brown checkered Coltwood grips with molded Colt logos. Blued seven-round Colt magazine with 5 cartridge witness holes and fixed floorplate marked with the Colt logo followed by "COLT / 45 AUTO". Complete with good-looking but aftermarket box with a yellow end label marked "COMMANDER AUTOMATIC PISTOL .45 AUTO 4¼ INCH BBL." with matching "45824-LW" handwritten on the bottom. No literature. The Colt Commander was developed as Colt's candidate in a U.S. government post-World War II trial to find a lighter replacement for the M1911 pistol for officer issue, with 1949 requirements specifying the pistol could not exceed 7 inches in length or weigh more than 25 ounces. In 1950, Colt moved the pistol into regular production, making it the first aluminum-framed large frame pistol to reach the commercial market.

Condition:

Excellent original condition with minimal sharp edge wear and a few faint scuffs on the front strap, the only exception relates to the rear sight, previously exchanged for one that required minor milling behind the dovetailed groove, now with a correct blade. Mirror bright bore. Correct manual mechanics. Reproduction matching-numbered box is a high quality replacement with commensurate shelf wear to match the gun.