Rare WWII U.S. Colt Commando 2″ .38 Special SA/DA Revolver, MFD 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1790
LSB#: 210920TC02
Make: Colt
Model: Commando
Serial Number: 41542
Year of Manufacture: 1942, according to the COLT Serial Number Lookup. Shipment from Colt to the Ashland Police Department in Ohio took place in 1945—this is confirmed by the included letter signed by COLT’s official historian, Beverly Jean Haynes. Given the high serial number, it is likely this revolver was actually produced that same year.
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: 6-Shot, DA/SA Double and Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT COMMANDO / .38 SPECIAL”. The right side of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CONN. U. S. A.”. The left-front of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in an inverted triangle, the left-rear is marked with “4”. The crane and crane cut are each marked with the serial number, “41542”. The crane cut is also marked “D” and with what appears to be an “L”.
Barrel Length: 2”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch integral to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered Coltwood with molded Colt medallions and smooth borders. Each panel has a few light nicks and scratches in the smooth borders, and a few more notable nicks on the right lower edge, near to the heel. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well-defined. Overall, the grips rate in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well-defined. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 92% of its parkerized finish. The finish is thinning on many edges, most notably on the topstrap and the guard. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs, just a few that are through the finish. The cylinder has light-to-moderate thinning on most edges, and a turn line partly through the finish. Overall, the cylinder is lighter in appearance. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Very Good-to-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with no play on any chamber when the trigger is depressed. The double-action trigger is smooth, and the single action is crisp. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This Commando Revolver includes a letter of provenance from Colt manufacturing’s historian, Beverly Jean Haynes.
Our Assessment: As the United States entered World War II, demand for all things military strained even the massive industrial capacity of America. Frontline arms were prioritized for frontline units, but there was also a need to arm law enforcement, guards at factories, and other sites with strategic importance, such the Maritime Commission and various other non-combat roles which still required arms. To help fill this demand, Colt produced a variation of their Official Police revolver with specifications set by the US Government. The result was the Commando revolver, of which 50,617 were produced from 1942-1945. This example was shipped to the Ashland Police Department in 1945, and is in very good standing, retaining much of its original finish, its Coltwood grips, the bore is bright, and the mechanics are aces. Most notably, this Commando features a 2” barrel—short barreled variants were produced in fewer numbers, and were only a modest portion of all Commando’s produced. This revolver will certainly make a fine addition to any Colt or WWII small arms collection. Good luck and happy bidding!