Newbie Series 80 question (pictures added)

[azreloader]

Hi all. I'm new to the 1911 Board (known better at the AK47 Boards over at Gunsnet), and fairly new at collecting 1911's.

I have a 1st gen Kimber Custom Classic (ser#002xxx), a WW2 GI Springfield, a Loaded Stainless Springfield, and my newest, a Colt Commander, which bring me to my inquiry....this is no ordinary Commander.

It's a NIB Series 80, Commander, Model 0 in matte blue, except both sides of the slide are polished to a mirror shine and there is Gold Filigree Embossing around the text and it has factory sim Ivory grip panels.

Short of requesting the Letter from COLT, does anyone have any idea what I am looking at? I can't find this combination of features in any publication.

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0497.JPG
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0498.JPG
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0494.JPG
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0496.JPG


Thanks for helping out a newbie and I look forward to becoming a regular hereabouts!

AZ

[Hunter]

Welcome to the forum. You can call Colt with the serial number (1 800 962 Colt) ad get the date the frame was stamped.
Here is a link that explains how to post pictures.
http://forum.m1911.org/faq.php?faq=a_few_words#faq_postingpictures
Some pictures can help with IDing the Colt

[daveohno]

Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like a nice Commander, post some pics when you get them!

[John]

What you are looking at is a lovely Commander, that's what it is. Now would it be possible for you to take a 1280x1024 picture of it and send it to me? I am building a collection of Commander pictures to be used as wall paper on my computer, and yours is a beauty! Tnx

[wichaka]

Wow........very nice!

I'm not familiar with newer Colt serial numbers, but can't remember seeing one with that type of prefix 'CJ'

[azreloader]

What you are looking at is a lovely Commander, that's what it is. Now would it be possible for you to take a 1280x1024 picture of it and send it to me? I am building a collection of Commander pictures to be used as wall paper on my computer, and yours is a beauty! Tnx

Thanks John. This should do the trick.

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/IMGP0494.JPG

[John]

Wow........very nice!

I'm not familiar with newer Colt serial numbers, but can't remember seeing one with that type of prefix 'CJ'
You didn't know this prefix? It's the new series they are building according to my specs. CJ: Caradimas John. Got it?

:lm:

[wichaka]

Hmmmm nope, I don't get it. :D

[daveohno]

That is a nice picture, the pistol is very clean! I like those stocks!

[sprice1973]

Beautiful gun!Very ,very nice!

[azreloader]

Thanks for all the flowers, guys. I realy do appreciate them. But, what I was hoping to find is someone who can tell me how a specimine like this comes to be? I saw it on the shelf at my local gunshop, liked it and sold two guns to get it.

But it does not appear to be a regular production run, as neither I nor anyone I have found so far, has seen one quite like it.

Was it maybe a special order that fell through, or a test run that never made it to production. Any ideas?

Hope it's worth the 1K it cost to bring it home.

[Joni Lynn]

Very nice. Thanks for causing John to drool on yet another keyboard!

[jeff1124]

Larry's probably looking for your info right now, if he doesn't already know it! Or maybe OD* or Paul45?

[OD*]

But, what I was hoping to find is someone who can tell me how a specimine like this comes to be?
Most likely a batch of pistols were ordered from Colt by one of the bigger distributors, Lew Horton, Talo, Davidson's etc., who would then have the laser engraving preformed by someone else.

[azreloader]

Most likely a batch of pistols were order from Colt by one of the bigger distributors, Lew Horton, Talo, Davidson's etc., who when then have the laser engraving preformed by someone else.

Recon I'll have to get a factory letter to find out what she was born with, eh?

[OD*]

Colt may tell you over the phone, 1-800-962-2658.

[jeff1124]

Just call and ask customer service first, those letters are very spendy I hear!

[azreloader]

Looks like OD* hit the nail on the head!

http://www.lewhorton.com/coltscroll.html

[OD*]

Sometimes I get lucky. ;)

[clughog]

That's a nice Colt, azreloader, and welcome to the forum!

[tombstone]

I can't help with info about your Colt, but I can certainly enjoy the photos! I'm another Commander fan and that is a nice one. Almost too nice to get dirty; but, let us know how the pony shoots. Cheers.

[azreloader]

I can't help with info about your Colt, but I can certainly enjoy the photos! I'm another Commander fan and that is a nice one. Almost too nice to get dirty; but, let us know how the pony shoots. Cheers.

Alas, she will never see a holster nor will any bullet penetrate her chamber. A virgin she shall remain.

[daveohno]

I really like the stocks, I'm partial to ivory with medallions.

[dakota1911]

Going back to the first post. Very pretty and without provenance maybe $800-$1200.

[azreloader]

I contacted Lew Horton and it is indeed one of theirs. They are going to send me the details of this particular run.

[elijdub]

I just had to comment on what a fine, fine specimen this is...! I also cannot help with regards to info, but i couldn't let this thread go by without a quick thought. VERY, VERY nice, and i'm lookin' forward to you posting some addtional info about it.
Welcome to the forum, BTW.

[Hawkmoon]

Wow........very nice!

I'm not familiar with newer Colt serial numbers, but can't remember seeing one with that type of prefix 'CJ'
'CJ' is the current prefix for Combat Commanders in the 1991 series. Serial numbers are currently running in the low 34,000 range, so this pistol isn't very old.

And it is gorgeous!

[azreloader]

And it is gorgeous!
I have to agree :D

[azreloader]

The Lew Horton website is not very detailed in their explanation of these guns. Is the fancy stuff done by Colt for Lew Horton, or does LH buy them from Colt and do the customizing themselves? :confused:

[d90king]

Azreloder,

Very nice Commander, nice find ;)

Patrick

[gc70]

I saw a stainless NRM commander engraved like azreloader's today at a local gun shop. Unfortunately, the gun carried the shop's usual outrageous price markup.