Colt Custom Shop ELCEN 1911 Bright Stainless .38 Super Semi-Auto Pistol

SOLD FOR: $3525

LSB#: 210819HE11

Make: Colt Custom Shop

Model: “EL CEN” Government Model Stainless

Serial Number: ELCEN6412

Year of Manufacture: 2009 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .38 Super

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT CUSTOM”. The right of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” with the serial number. The top of the barrel is marked “-COLT SUPER .38 AUTO-“. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and with an incomplete inspector’s mark, the right is marked “3”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a white dot fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square-notch with two white dots dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered rosewood with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Bright Stainless

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered minor marks. The action shows faint operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The bright stainless finish picks up smudges and such quickly, but just as quickly wipes off. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol has a tight slide and a crisp trigger. This pistol was made with a firing pin block safety. 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: 

-Blue plastic Colt box

-Cable lock.

-Manual

-One 9-round Colt magazine.

Our Assessment: Colt’s 1911 served the United States military through two World Wars and several other conflicts, is still in use by some units today, and has become popular with law enforcement, competitors, and recreational shooters across the nation. The design has seen some updates including a firing-pin block safety, higher profile sights, and more ergonomic grips, but the basic design and fantastic trigger remain the same after more than a century. This is an interesting variation from the Colt Custom Shop. Distributor Lew Horton ordered a whole series of limited edition 1911 variants known to collectors as the “El Series”. The pistols were made with a variety of different trims, but were chambered for .38 Super and most were built on Bright Stainless slides and frames. It appears that there was an over-run of these parts and this “ELCEN” is adorned only with the marking “COLT CUSTOM” on the slide. The remainder of the pistol has legally required maker and serial markings with the rest polished so bright you could use the gun as a mirror for shaving. The .38 Super cartridge uses speed not size to make a dent in the history of ammunition development. Eventually overshadowed by the .357 Magnum, this caliber toes the line between obsolete and nostaligic, but add it to a firearm like this shiny Colt Custom EL CEN and you have a winning combination. If you’re looking for a new 1911, a limited edition to add to a Colt collection, or a new BBQ gun, this is a great pistol. Please see our photos and good luck!