Colt Commander Lightweight 1911 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol & Box, 1970 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3125
LSB#: 230522WB121
Make: Colt
Model: Commander
Serial Number: CLW005143
Year of Manufacture: 1970 (Colt Serial Lookup)
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic fed by Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: 4 1/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a serrated, ramped face fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered “Coltwood” plastic panels with rampant colt logos molded in each panel. The grips have little in the way of handling wear with well defined checkering and no chips or cracks. The grips do show minor shrinkage, common for this material, with the grip screw holes slightly stretched. This may make it difficult to remove or reinstall the grips. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition and would rate Excellent but for the shrinkage.
Type of Finish: Blue and Black Alloy Frame
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are a few scattered tiny marks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun is in Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a two-piece faux-wood cardboard Colt box with model-matching label, serial number hand written on the bottom of the tray and a total of two 9-round magazines.
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. The original development centered on an aluminum-frame 9mm as a candidate for US Military post-war officer’s pistols. This is just such an example, a Commander Lightweight chambered for the common 9mm cartridge.
The pistol was produced in 1970, and is a fairly early example of the Lightweight Commander. The pistol is in Fine-Excellent condition with the vast majority of its finish remaining, a great bore and strong mechanics. The grips do show shrinkage which is typical of this vintage, but is not nearly as bad as some examples we have seen. This would make for a nice carry pistol, but it’s high condition and original box will also make for a great addition to a Colt automatic collection. Please see our photos and good luck in your bidding!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
