More on Electroless Nickel vs Satin

[Vettepartz]

After looking at many 'For-Sale' handguns that have the original box with them, I have noticed that the ones that say electroless nickel from the custom shop all have a nickel colored trigger. On the other hand, almost every one with the 'Satin' finish have a blued trigger. Has anyone else noticed this, or do you have a satin gun that you purchased new with a satin trigger? I am looking at the 70 series.

[lksstbls]

My '70s era satin nickle Combat Commander was supplied with a nickle trigger--at least it's nickle colored. I didn't buy it new, but I'm sure it was absolutely stock except for some Pach grips that looked like they'd been cut from an old tire. All of the other hardware was nickle-colored. Obviously from the picture, there's been some minor changes, but at least it looks presentable.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj103/lksstbls/P1010167.jpg

Technically there were no "Series 70" Commanders or Combat Commanders, although a lot of folks incorrectly use that reference. The true 70 Series full size government models had a fingered collet barrel bushing, and did not have a firing pin safety. The "70s Era" Commanders et al, also didn't have the firing pin safety, but also didn't have the fingered barrel bushing which was the hallmark of the true 70 Series Colts. When the 80 Series came along, the firing pin safety went in, and the collet barrel bushing was out. There were some overlap exceptions, apparently, but not enough to count.

[Vettepartz]

Thanks for the info and picture, iksstbls. Do you have the original box it came in marked 'Satin'?

[lksstbls]

Thanks for the info and picture, iksstbls. Do you have the original box it came in marked 'Satin'?

No, on the box. I believe the pistol had spent most of its prior life under the seat of a car. I've seen pictures of boxes marked "satin" and "e-nickle", but that's as close as I've come. My pistol was rough enough in terms of machining marks and tool chatter, especially in the ejection port area, to further convince me that it was not the product of anyone's Custom Shop. As stated elsewhere, I believe the e-nickle process was used exclusively by Colt's Custom Shop, although I can't substantiate that either.

[dakota1911]

I am going by memory here, but I know the new Combat Commander I got in 78 had a silver trigger (also not sure if nickle), and am about 60% certain it said satin nickle on the box, which I traded off with the gun in 84 to get a little Detonics.