Colt commando 38

[Vyadmirer]

So long story short I bought this revolver from a family member who needed the money so don’t even remember what I paid because I probably would have given him the money if he asked. Anyways it’s been sitting in my safe for a few years and I haven’t even shot it.

How collectible are these? Prices are all over the place on gunbroker. Looked up the serial number and it’s a 1942. Only a 4 digit serial so I figure there can’t be a lot. A quick google search indicates they were for pilots and guards.

Did I stumble into something pretty collectible and or Somewhat rare? I can’t imagine there’s a huge market for them out there but maybe I’m wrong. Any colt revolver experts here?

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

They were made from 1942-1945. So you have a first year issue.
They came in 2 inch , 4 inch and 6 inch barrels.
The 4 inch barrels are the most common and the 6 inch barrels the rarest.
They only made about 50,000 and they can be worth a little bit of money depending on condition and barrel length.

 

[Vyadmirer]

Sweet. It’s in what I would consider regular surplus shape. Nothing terrible but not mint. It’s a 4 inch barrel but has some kind of pearl grips that after looking at pictures have to be aftermarket. Trying to find a set of grips online has been interesting and with so few made it kinda makes sense

 

[smithers599]

Photos would be appropriate, don't you think?

 

[Vyadmirer]

Haha fair enough :lol: . I’m not a great techie guy so took me a while but here ya go.

 

[smithers599]

Thank you. I appreciate the effort. Great old gun.

 

[redj]

Those grips were popular back in the day.
Not so much today.

Good luck finding an original pair.
There are aftermarket ones available.
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/colt/revolvers-colt/commando-off-pol

 

[needsmostuff]

Very much the same gun as the official police with a war time finish to speed up production. It should say Colt Commando on the left side of the barrel and look for military acceptance and inspection marks.
Flaming bombs and such. Most went to police and guards so they may not be military marked . But that could raise the value.
Probably the plastic "Coltwood" grips that would look like this.

 

[Vyadmirer]

Yep after a little more reading it has the colt commando and flaming bomb marks. And yes need to track down a pair of those plastic grips! Pretty neat little piece of history.

 

[792mauser]

thats a nice looking colt.

Reminds me to take my Army Special out and oil her today.

 

[Vyadmirer]

I tracked down a pair of original grips! Numrich gun parts had a set but they are on commie lock down because NY. But still got my order in.

Now here’s to hoping the grip screw I have on these aftermarket grips works. If not, it’s part of the fun of these old guns is hunting down parts!

 

[xerts1191]

Nice

 

[pneuby]

IIRC, those had parkerized finishes. That could make a nice little tuck-a-way hosuegun.

 

[Vyadmirer]

Update: numrich finally got through the backlog of orders and sent mine out. Came with an original screw so no worries there. They aren’t perfect which I actually like. They also look a little darker in the picture than they are. A weird dark brownish type thing.

Here she is as she should be:

 

[etprescottaz01]

Update: numrich finally got through the backlog of orders and sent mine out. Came with an original screw so no worries there. They aren’t perfect which I actually like. They also look a little darker in the picture than they are. A weird dark brownish type thing.

Here she is as she should be:

Its a beautiful example, nice find. Any handgun collector for Colt or World War 2 firearms would be proud to add that one, nice revolver.