Colt Combat Commander Satin Nickel .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1972
SOLD FOR: $2225
LSB#: 210610PK10
Make: Colt
Model: Combat Commander Model, Pre-Series ’80
Serial Number: 70SC16024
Year of Manufacture: 1972 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COMBAT / COMMANDER”, “COLT”, “AUTOMATIC / CALIBER .45” and with a Rampant Colt logo. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT’S COMBAT COMMANDER”. The right side of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and “70SC16024”. The barrel at the port is marked “COLT .45 AUTO”. The left-rear of the trigger guard is marked with “VP” in a triangle, the left-front with “3”. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “Z”. The magazine floorplate is marked “COLT / 45. AUTO.”.
Barrel Length: 4 ¼”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short, serrated, ramped blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood with silver-colored Colt medallions. The wood has been painted black. The grips have a few scattered minor nicks and scuffs through the black finish. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally sharp. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition as refinished and/or not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Satin Nickel
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 about 97% of its metal finish. There are some scattered minor scuffs and scratches which are not through the finish. The action shows light operational wear and there is a light “idiot mark” under the slide stop on the left of the frame. There is minor handling wear in the grip straps. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the Colt address on the right of the frame is struck deeper toward the bottom, lighter toward the top. Overall, this pistol is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol has a tight slide and a crisp trigger. 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 two-piece cardboard Colt box and a single nickel 7-round magazine. The magazine has faint operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring. Overall, the magazine is in about Fine-plus condition. The box has a yellow label on the end with the pistol’s information hand-written. The bottom of the tray has a non-matching serial number hand-written in white. We are not sure if the lid’s label is genuine. The box shows scattered light storage wear, some minor surface loss as from tape removal, and fraying at corners, in about Good-Very Good condition as possibly not original to the gun.
Our Assessment: Introduced by Colt as a lighter-weight version of the 1911, the smaller size of the Commander was popular and soon they were offered in a number of variations including different frame materials and calibers. While the original development centered on an aluminum-frame 9mm as a candidate for US Military post-war officer’s pistols, the steel frame .45 Combat Commanders such as this one are what most people think of when they think of “The Commander”. It has about 97% of its beautiful satin nickel finish complemented by checkered walnut grips which have been painted black, giving them a nice contrast to the metal. This would make a fantastic defensive pistol, but it would also make a Colt collector very happy and make a great “BBQ-gun” for any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!