Jim Hoag Custom Colt Model Series 70 1911 Combat Commander, Hard Chrome 4 ¼” SA Semi-Automatic Pistol & Name Tags, MFD 1976
Sold For: $3,756.00
LSB#: 160719MY02
Make: Colt, Customized by Jim Hoag
Model: Series 70 Combat Commander
Serial Number: 70BS39188
Year of Manufacture: 1976 (http://www.colt.com/CustomerServices/SerialNumberLookup.aspx)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic, Removable Magazine Fed Pistol
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COMBAT / COMMANDER / COLT / AUTOMATIC / CALIBER .45” with the Rampant logo, the right is marked “COLT’S COMBAT COMMANDER”. The underside slide flat is marked “J. HOAG”, the right of the barrel lug and back of the spring guide are marked “BOMAR”. The right side of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and the serial number. The right side of the trigger guard bow is marked “V”, the right is marked “F” and a faint “VP” in triangle. The ambidextrous thumb safeties are marked “A.D. SWENSON / CALIF.” The magazine floorplate is marked “COLT / .45 CAL”.
Barrel Length: 4 ¼”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramp blade, with a red insert, fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a flat top, square notched leaf in a base that in a Smith & Wesson serrated base, which is crisply slotted onto the top of the slide. These sights were installed by Jim Hoag.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are factory checkered walnut stocks with silver-colored Colt medallions. The stocks have a few faint scuff marks and extremely light compression to a few checkers. There are no cracks or major damages. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Hard Chrome
Finish Originality: Professionally refinished after modification.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is operational wear on the trigger and grip safety. The surfaces show marks under the finish from the refinishing process, the lines remain generally sharp, please see our pictures. The surfaces have a few faint scuff marks and small compression areas which mostly go unnoticed until close inspection. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are slightly faded but still legible. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol has a BoMar barrel and spring guide. The pistol has A.D. Swenson ambidextrous thumb safeties, a squared and checkered trigger guard, checkered front strap, checkered and arched mainspring housing, aftermarket S&W sights and a lowered/flared ejection port. The trigger pull is smooth with almost no takeup, breaking at about 4 1/2lbs. There is no perceptible slide to frame play, the internals look to be polished for exacting tolerances. We did not fire this handgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is one 7-round hard chrome Colt magazine, which has scuffs from normal use, with a strong spring and un-marred feed lips, rating in about Excellent condition. Also included are two Jim Hoag name tags, one is a 1964 NRA 93rd annual meeting tag, the other is a World Speed Shooting Championship tag. Both items are in Fine to Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: This is a SHARP looking pistol that was customized by renowned Southern California pistol smith Jim Hoag. Gunsmiths in the 1980s preferred the Series 70 pistols to the Series 80 because they were capable of a little smoother trigger. This pistol has a lot of custom features including a reshaped trigger guard and sharp checkering on the squared trigger guard, front strap and backstrap. It has been fitted with a Barsto barrel and spring guide, Hoag slotted the top of the slide for a S&W micrometer-click rear sight, and the ejection port has been lowered. It retains about 98% of its finish, looking to have been a treasured firearm with limited use. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and the mechanics are graceful. This pistol is beautiful, full of custom features and Jim Hoag was well known for the quality of his work; unfortunately, Mr. Hoag will no longer be customizing firearms, so a chance to own one of his works, especially one of this grade, will become a LOT more difficult moving forward. Included are two Jim Hoag name tags that we found after having purchased his inventory, one is for a 1964 NRA meeting, the other is for the World Speed Shooting Championship. You won’t find a nicer .45 Auto on a Commander sized frame and the steel frame is stronger than the alloy frames used on the lightweight Commanders. This pistol can be used for home protection, target shooting, and Combat Pistol matches at your local range. However, it will be outstanding as a concealed carry gun, packing plenty of punch with all the bells and whistles you need when your life is on the line. Finished in satin hard chrome, this pistol should be wear resistant and far better than bluing for concealed carry.
