Colt Combat Commander 4.25″ Nickel 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol 1972
SOLD FOR: $1626
LSB#: 220114KB011
Make: Colt
Model: Combat Commander Model, Pre-Series ’80
Serial Number: 70SC7884
Year of Manufacture: 1972
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 “70SC7884”. 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 “H”. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “Z”. The magazine floorplate is marked with a rampant colt, “COLT / 45 AUTO” and”M”.
Barrel Length: 4 ¼”
Sights / Optics: This pistol is mounted with a square notched flat topped rear sight dovetailed into the slide and serrated blade front sight with a ramped rear face fixed to the front of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood with silver-colored Colt medallions. The left panel has a scratch at the top grip screw extending forward and up to the top edge and a more notable scratch at the bottom edge. The right panel has a couple of dings at the bottom edge and a nick above the bottom screw. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Satin Nickel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is a spot of finish loss at the top-rear edge of the slide. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches including a light “idiot mark” under the slide stop. There are some scattered spots of stubborn verdigris, mostly in the slide serrations. The action has light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. 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 nickel 7-round magazine. The magazine has minor operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring.
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 Commanders such as this one are what most people think of when they think of “The Commander”. This example has about 97% of its beautiful satin nickel finish complemented by wood grips and comes with a single nickel Colt magazine. It is one of the enigmatic “4-digit” guns, having only four digits following its 70SC prefix, while the standard serial marking scheme had five. Technically, the pistol should have a zero preceding these four digits, but in early 70SC pistols (and some other models), this preceding zero was omitted from the marking. 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!