1 of 500 Colt Model Commanding Officers Lightweight 9mm 3.5″ Pistol
SOLD FOR: $1490
LSB#: 210418FW25
Make: Colt
Model: Commanding Officers Lightweight, 1 of 500
Serial Number: FL09717
Year of Manufacture: 1990 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: 9MM
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COMMANDING OFFICERS / -9MM LIGHTWEIGHT-” and with the Rampant Colt logo. The right side of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and with the serial number “FL09717”. The barrel is marked “CAL. 9MM LUGER / -PARABELLUM-”. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT 1 of 500”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked with what looks like a faded “4” and the rear with “VP” in a triangle. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “5”.
Barrel Length: 3 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The rear sight is a flat topped square notch with two recessed white dots and dovetailed into slide. The front sight is a short ramped blade fixed to the slide and has a recessed white dot.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a textured black rubber wraparound grip with gold Colt medallions. There are some scattered light marks from use and handling, most noticeable on the bottom. There are no rips or tears. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Matte Black, Alloy Frame
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. There are some scattered spots of surface oxidation on the slide, slide stop, and safeties. There are some spots of dark discoloration on the sides of the hammer from previous oxidation. There are a few scuffs and rubs that have lightly thinned the finish or caused smooth spots to the matte finish. There is some finish loss on the leading edges, most noticeable on the dust cover. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The pinheads are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has little play to the frame. The trigger is crisp. There are no cracks in the frame. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a serial matching box and one 9-round blued magazine with floorplate marked with a rampant colt, “COLT / CAL. 9MM LUGER”, and “M”. The box has some heavy creases, edge wear and some little tears. The styrofoam liner has some spots of material loss. The box is in about Good condition. The magazine shows operational wear with a few spots of oxidation, strong spring and intact feed lips, in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This is a Colt Commanding Officers Lightweight made in 1990 chambered in 9mm. Colt made a Commander version of its 1911A1 pistol starting in 1950 with a lightweight alloy frame and a 4 ¼” barrel, but changed its name to Lightweight Commander in 1970 to distinguish it from the newly introduced all steel Combat Commander. The Commanding Officers Lightweight was a special edition made by the Custom Shop and it features a Commander frame mated with an Officers length slide. The shorter barrel and alloy frame make this pistol more suited to regular carry than the full-size Government model while using the same magazine and having the same grip for familiarity. This example is in Very Good condition with about 90% of its metal finish, a great bore and strong mechanics. It looks like it has seen some use but could stand to see some more! This would make a superb carry pistol with its slim, single-stack frame, 9mm chambering and Colt quality but with only 500 made could still make a nice addition to a Colt collection even with the wear. Please see our photos and good luck!