Colt Custom Shop ELCEN 1911 Bright Stainless .38 Super Semi-Auto Pistol
SOLD FOR: $3,500
LSB#: 240403MB017
Make: Colt Custom Shop
Model: “EL CEN” Government Model Stainless
Serial Number: ELCEN0705
Year of Manufacture: 2010s
Caliber: .38 Super
Action Type: Single Action Semi Auto Pistol fed by Detachable Magazine
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 escutcheons. 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. This handgun also comes with a pair of stag Ajax grips and a pair of Hogue pebbled polymer grips included but not installed.
Type of Finish: Bright Stainless Steel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, the rifling is well-defined. There is a bit of erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 9 or 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows only some superficial nicks, scratches and handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol was made with a firing pin block safety. We did not fire this firearm. We have cleaned this firearm and performed a mechanic’s check but expect many will want to clean the firearm again depending on their standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This handgun comes with a blue polymer Colt case with serial-matching label, an instruction manual, the alternate grip panels described above and five (5) 9-round magazines with intact feed lips and strong follower springs.
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. The metal is polished so bright you could use the gun as a mirror for shaving. 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 in your bidding!
-J. Ren
