Colt Lew Horton El Coronel 02570EC Royal Blue .38 Super Pistol & Box, 1993
SOLD FOR: $6601
LSB#: 220927HE004
Make: Colt
Model: Government Model “El Coronel”, 02570EC
Serial Number: ECL475
Year of Manufacture: 1993 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .38 Super
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The right side of the slide is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL”, the left is marked “El Coronel / -COLT 38 SUPER-” with rampant colt filled with gold coloring. The right of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A. / ECL475”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “2” and “VP” in triangle, the right is marked “6”. The magazine floorplate is marked with a rampant colt, “M”, “COLT” and “SUPER / .38 AUTO”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a white dot fixed to the slide and the rear sight is a square notch with two white dots dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth mother of pearl panels with Colt medallions. There is no notable wear or damage. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Royal Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is a tiny mark on the frontstrap. Otherwise, there is no notable wear or damage and hardly anything in the way of handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has almost no play to the frame. The trigger is crisp. 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 in a blue plastic Colt box in cardboard Colt sleeve with an assortment of factory paperwork including manual and a single 9-round magazine. The magazine and box are in Excellent condition. The sleeve has scattered wear with fraying and short tears at some corners and all three ears on the label-end of the box torn off but are tape-attached to the sleeve. The label is serial-matching.
Our Assessment: This pistol is a beautiful Colt Government Model 1911A1 pistol with a gorgeous high polished royal blue finish set off nicely by the mother of pearl grip panels and jeweled hammer. This pistol is part of a series of Lew Horton specials produced for Colt in the ’90s, known in the collector world as the “El” series. Each of these specials was produced in a limited quantity with only 750 of the El Coronel pistols produced. This series is both wonderful and terrible for collectors as there were about 40 different models, from the El Jefe to El Coronel to El Presidente and more. This El Coronel is in Excellent condition with its original box and is ready to add to a collection or to carry to your next barbecue. Please take a look at our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud