Pre-War Colt Commercial Ace 1911 .22 LR Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1937 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2577
LSB#: 210312DW08
Make: Colt
Model: Commercial ACE
Serial Numbers: 7584
Year of Manufacture: 1937 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic with Exposed Hammer and Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PAT’D APR.20,1897. SEPT.9,1902. DEC.19,1905. FEB.14,1911. AUG.19,1913.” and with a rampant colt. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT”, “ACE” in a diamond and “.22 / LONG / RIFLE”. The bottom of the slide at the rear on the left ear behind the firing pin plate is marked “H”. The right side of the trigger guard is marked with assembler’s mark “38”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked with inspector’s mark “X” and “VP” in triangle proof. The top of the frame to the right of the disconnector is marked “R”. The right side of the frame above the trigger is marked “7584”. The rear face of the slide, under the firing pin plate is marked “75” over the firing pin and “8”, “4” to each side of the slot for the plate’s retainer. The bottom-right of the barrel is marked “COLT ACE 22 MATCH”. The floorplate of the magazine is marked “COLT” over “ACE” in diamond over “22 L.R.”.
Barrel Length: 4 ¾”
Sights / Optics: The pistol has a flat-topped, square notched rear sight dovetailed to the rear of the slide, screw adjustable for windage and elevation. The front sight is a serrated ramped blade with a rounded front fixed to the front of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are fully checkered walnut panels. The grips have minor handling wear with a few minor nicks and compressed checkers. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains approximately 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is in handling wear on the frontstrap and other grip areas. There are some scattered minor nicks and scratches. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp and the slide has very little play to the frames. This pistol does NOT have the floating chamber used on the Service Ace. There is a manual safety as well as a grip safety and the hammer has a half-cock notch. We have not fired 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 single 10-round magazine. The magazine has blue finish on the bottom 2/3 with the top 1/3 in the white. The magazine has light operational wear, the spring is strong and the feed lips are intact. Overall, the magazine is in about Fine condition. Also included is a two-piece cardboard craft box and wax paper. The box shows minor storage wear, in about Fine condition.
Our Assessment: This is a Colt Commercial Ace in Very Good-plus condition with about 85% of its finish remaining, a great bore and strong mechanics. The development of the Ace began in 1915 as Colt attempted to create a .22 caliber pistol based on the 1911 Government model design. The first Ace was assembled in 1930 and fewer than 11,000 were made through 1947. While the intent was to produce a .22 version of the Government model, the Ace has a 1/4? shorter barrel, functions as a blowback rather than tilt-barrel and has significantly less recoil than the Government model, as compared with the later Service model Ace. This pistol would make a fine target pistol or recreational plinker, but in its condition we think the collectors will outbid the shooters. In either case, this is a great old Colt to add to any safe in America. Please see our photos and good luck!