Elcen

[chugwater]

Hi Guys,

I posted this on another Colt Forum and very little interest or comment. Just wondering if anyone over here would tackle this?

I’ve been told that the late model Colt Super .38 with the serial number prefix ‘ "ELCEN" ” is made up of the last REMAINING parts from the “old” Colt factory. While they are still Colt parts I wonder if they are IN someway inferior to say the 1980s Mark IV.

I just bought one that has “Colt Custom” on the left side of the slide with this prefix. It also has a 1911 (type) main spring housing and the old military type hammer.

Any thoughts on this?

Chug.

[Hunter]

I looked at my Colt Super .38 bought brand new from Colt early last year and the prefix is 38SS. I know this really helps none but if all else fails you can call Kathy at Colt (1800 962 Colt) with that question and see if she can help.

[chugwater]

Thanks Hunter,

I also have one that the prefix is 38SS but they are brushed stainless. The ELCEN is bright Hi Polished stainless.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/Chugwater/ELCEN.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/Chugwater/38SS.jpg

Chug

[Hunter]

I see. Mine is as the bottom picture. I have fallen in love with the Super .38. I have been able to load some pretty warm rounds and accuracy is great.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/Gun3.jpg

[daveohno]

I am no expert on this by any means, but my super 38 is bright stainless and it has elcen in the serial number and I just bought it this summer from Bud's gunshop. It was nib. I might guess elcen refers to a bright stainless finish super 38 made by the Colt Custom Shop.

[paul45]

Hi Guys,

I posted this on another Colt Forum and very little interest or comment. Just wondering if anyone over here would tackle this?

I’ve been told that the late model Colt Super .38 with the serial number prefix ‘ "ELCEN" ” is made up of the last REMAINING parts from the “old” Colt factory. While they are still Colt parts I wonder if they are IN someway inferior to say the 1980s Mark IV.

I just bought one that has “Colt Custom” on the left side of the slide with this prefix. It also has a 1911 (type) main spring housing and the old military type hammer.

Any thoughts on this?

Chug.I've been playing around with Colts for years...first I've heard that story (doesn't mean a thing....I know). May I ask who "told" you this information? Also what does "the old Colt factory" mean? Thanks....

[OD*]

I wouldn't think your receiver could be all that old, with the "electro-pencil" serial number instead of the roll-stamped serial.

[chugwater]

Paul,

By "older" I meant circa 1980s or later.

By "old Colt factory" I meant the same thing.

Who told me that? “Joe Pafufnik" a local coffee shop guru who know something about everything and not much about anything.

Chug

[OD*]

Who told me that? “Joe Pafufnik" a local coffee shop guru who know something about everything and not much about anything.
http://www.oprano.com/msgboard/images/smilies/lmao.gif

[RickB]

Colt has made an extensive line of fancy (gaudy, tacky, etc.) .38 Supers over the years, which have come to be referred to as the "El series", as they all had names like "El Presidente", "El Jeffe", "El Commandante", etc., and I assume the latest Custom Shop Super is numbered in that series, so the "ELCEN" prefix. A buddy of mine just got one, and boy, is it beautiful.

[gottripletsNC]

“Joe Pafufnik" a local coffee shop guru who know something about everything and not much about anything.

:lm:

too funny

[larry starling]

Paul,

By "older" I meant circa 1980s or later.

By "old Colt factory" I meant the same thing.

Who told me that? “Joe Pafufnik" a local coffee shop guru who know something about everything and not much about anything.

Chug
BETTER WATCH THOSE GUN SHOP COMMANDOS..... :dead_hors

[Ericthenorse]

It is even worse than that..... He is a COFFEE SHOP COMANDO......

[k217sc]

Hi Guys,

I posted this on another Colt Forum and very little interest or comment. Just wondering if anyone over here would tackle this?

I’ve been told that the late model Colt Super .38 with the serial number prefix ‘ "ELCEN" ” is made up of the last REMAINING parts from the “old” Colt factory. While they are still Colt parts I wonder if they are IN someway inferior to say the 1980s Mark IV.

I just bought one that has “Colt Custom” on the left side of the slide with this prefix. It also has a 1911 (type) main spring housing and the old military type hammer.

Any thoughts on this?


Chug.

I was once told that these ELCEN's were merely overuns from the "EL" series that Colt had been doing in previous years. Nothing else supposedly different about them from any other Colt produced 1911.

Greg

[chugwater]

Rick,

The "ElCen" doesn't fall in the same category with the El Presidente or El Jeffes,they are gaudy, beautiful, and expensive ($1500 +).

These are just plain Jane (except for the Brt SS). I think someone here hit it on the head when they said they thought the "ELCEN" was just a prefix given to the Bright Stainless Government model. I'm going with that thinking.

Thanks all for the input. Chug

[paul45]

Who told me that? “Joe Pafufnik" a local coffee shop guru who know something about everything and not much about anything....hey...pretty funny!....guess thats why I don't much believe 99% of what no- nothings spout about Colts.

[OD*]

Rick,

The "ElCen" doesn't fall in the same category with the El Presidente or El Jeffes,they are gaudy, beautiful, and expensive ($1500 +).

These are just plain Jane (except for the Brt SS). I think someone here hit it on the head when they said they thought the "ELCEN" was just a prefix given to the Bright Stainless Government model. I'm going with that thinking.

Thanks all for the input. Chug
I think if you were to call Colt, Rick would be correct.
The GMs with the Ultimate Finish (ultimate finish, is what the bright stainless was called in the 80s) didn't have a special prefix, just the standard SS prefix.

[pa_guns]

Hi

I'd sure give Colt a call and see what they say. You should be able to get a pretty good readout on the pistol. Let us know what you find out !!

Bob