Colt Commander, what year is this one?

[rgo772]

Hey there. I am trying to find out for my dad about a colt commander he owns. It is a colt commander the serial number is 882LW I am trying to find out how old it is. If anyone can help me figure this out that would be great. Thanks

[elijdub]

Welcome to the forum first off! If i'm reading this correctly, you have a very old Commander, produced in the intial years of their manufacture. I've provided a link to "Proofhouse", but my understanding is that it was made in 1950. This is a great gun. I'd love to see some pics.
Scroll down to Colt Semi-Automatic Pistols, and then to "Combat Commander" (even though they didn't come out with a "combat"/steel-framed Commander until the 70's).
http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

[rgo772]

I was thinking it was very old but I was not sure with that serial because proofhouse 1950 says 66LW and 1951 has 6000LW but I did not see one with three numbers. Does it mean that the 1950 startswith 66LW and ends with 5999LW? He traded a shotgun for this gun a number of years ago. And I told him I thought it was worth something not that he would sell it. He is planning to pass it down to me someday and I wouldn't sell it either plus I wouldn't even know what it was worth. Thanks for you help.

[dakota1911]

Clawson says 1950 was 66-LW to 6090-LW in his book, so a very early Commander.

[d90king]

Welcome to the forum. Based on Blue book they where made 1950-1976 and based on your number I think Eli is on the money it appears that production guns started after #600 that would make yours very early. Good luck on a great Colt

Patrick

[elijdub]

Thanks Patrick.
The BLUE BOOK states that the NIB versions are valued at $1200 but i've seen them sell for a bit more than that on gunbroker (upwards of $1600). If you can post some pics we can try to determine the value of the gun...and more than anything, as this is my very favorite Colt, i'd just like to see some pics :D!

[gfavaron]

Umm, mine is 26120-LW. According to Colt, it was manufactured in 1952. Eli, it is also my favorite 1911, but I am getting uneasy about shooting it as much as I used to, so I now do most of my range banging with a combat cdr 9mm. I figure the steel commander is virtually indestructible in 9mm.

What are they worth? I don't really know except that my gun was one of a matched pair that were purchased new by a distant relative who had just been elected sheriff of Hill County, Texas. A cousin allegedly traded the other gun off awhile back, and I would pay a SERIOUS amount to reunite the pair. So far, no luck in tracing the owner. :-(

[elijdub]

Umm, mine is 26120-LW. According to Colt, it was manufactured in 1952. Eli, it is also my favorite 1911, but I am getting uneasy about shooting it as much as I used to, so I now do most of my range banging with a combat cdr 9mm. I figure the steel commander is virtually indestructible in 9mm.

What are they worth? I don't really know except that my gun was one of a matched pair that were purchased new by a distant relative who had just been elected sheriff of Hill County, Texas. A cousin allegedly traded the other gun off awhile back, and I would pay a SERIOUS amount to reunite the pair. So far, no luck in tracing the owner. :-(
Oh man...too bad you can't get the "twin"! That would be really something! Mabye you can track down the cousin (and his sale)?

I hear ya' on "not shooting the '52". Even though i'm certain of alloy's strength, i'd limit the amount of rounds through a gun of that nature as i would with a 1918, etc. Just think about how many rounds that gun has seen ;). Now that's a real testament to the strength of alloy!

That 9mm Combat sounds like a blast! That's on my "to buy very soon" list :).

There's just something about the pre-'70's Commanders that i really like! ..The rollmarks, the finish, the overall appearance of that "group", is just very, very nice.

[Pred]

I just "last weekend" picked up this 1952 commander, It is a LW model, and the slides shine is impressive
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd174/predspics/commander52left.jpg
Now my 1991 made LW commander has it's older brother to hang out with in the safe, I will run a few rounds through it this upcoming weekend, But unlike the newer one, I will not carry it, Will not change a thing on the old commander, And I feel fortunate to have both, The newer one is my daily carry in the cold weather! They are great colts in my eyes too!
Peter.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd174/predspics/commanders1.jpg

[EchoBravoKilo]

Wow, a 1950 Commander - congrats! As Eli said, please post some photos. Many of us LOVE Commanders!

[elijdub]

Great Commanders Peter!!! The LW looks like it's in good shape (and 100% original taboot!).

[rgo772]

I will try to get some pictures today. Thanks everyone for your help

[elijdub]

Wow, a 1950 Commander - congrats! As Eli said, please post some photos. Many of us LOVE Commanders!
Absolutely! Lookin' forward to pics!

[rgo772]

Here are some pics.
http://www.azle.npmhu311.com/picturesgun/Colt1800x600.jpg

http://www.azle.npmhu311.com/picturesgun/Colt800x600.jpg

[EchoBravoKilo]

Outstanding! Congratulations - and enjoy!

[d90king]

Very nice! Great Colt!
Patrick

[elijdub]

Very nice indeed! Excellent Colt!