
Jim Hoag Custom 6″ Long Slide Colt Delta Elite 10mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1987
SOLD FOR: $5504.97
LSB#: 221220CN004
Make: Colt, Customized by Jim Hoag
Model: Delta Elite, Custom Long-Slide
Serial Number: DE02076
Year of Manufacture: 1987 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: 10mm
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic Detachable Magazine Fed Pistol
Markings: The right of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A. / DE02076”, the left of the trigger guard is marked “3” and “VP” in triangle, the right of the trigger guard is marked “L”. The left of the slide is marked “DELTA ELITE / -COLT AUTO-” with “10mm” in triangle in the center, the right is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL”, the top of the barrel is marked “BAR STO 10 MM“. The bottom of the slide is stamped “J. HOAG”. Each side of the thumb-safety is marked “A.D. SWENSON / FALLBROOK, CALIF.”.
Barrel Length: 6?
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an under-cut blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a Bo-Mar square-notch sight adjustable for windage and elevation. The top of the slide has a serrated, flat plane along the top.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece double-diamond checkered wood panels. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue, Chrome Thumb-Safety
Finish Originality: Refinished, original to customization.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling which should come out with a patient cleaning. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 99% of its metal finish. The action shows light operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Excellent condition as customized.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide to frame fit has very minor play. 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 with a single 8-round magazine which has had a King’s black rubber basepad installed. The magazine shows light operational wear with intact feed lips and a strong spring.
Our Assessment: The Delta Elite was introduced by Colt in 1987 as a 10mm version of the 1911. The 1911 already had a following, of course, while the 10mm cartridge was popular as a result of Jeff Cooper’s involvement in its development and use in the Bren-10. It has remained popular with fans of the 1911 and the 10mm cartridge ever since and is one of the more powerful cartridges which can be chambered in the 1911 platform.
This example was made in 1987, the first year of production and has been customized by renowned gunsmith Jim Hoag. Most fans of custom 1911s will be well familiar with Mr. Hoag, who unfortunately passed in April, 2020. A contemporary of luminaries such as Ron Lerch, Mike Dalton and Jeff Cooper, Hoag learned just about everything there is to know about the 1911 and could perform just about any modification you could want to a precision which is hard to fathom. While he performed a lot of work on standard Commander and Government model pistols, he may be best known for his long-slide 1911s.
This is one such example, a Delta Elite which has had its slide lengthened for a Bar-Sto 6″ barrel. In addition to being lengthened, the slide has had adjustable target sights installed as well as a serrated flat cut on the top to reduce glare. The customization doesn’t stop there, with a full-length guide rod, large-ring custom-knurled hammer, beavertail grip safety, Swenson ambidextrous thumb-safety, extended slide stop, adjustable trigger, checkered straight mainspring housing, checkering on the fronstrap and trigger guard, and fine checkering on the rear face of the slide. The result is a beauty to behold and should be able to wring just about all the performance out of the 10mm cartridge that you could want out of a handgun.
Whether you’re a fan of 1911s, 10mm, or the work of Jim Hoag, this is a truly outstanding example of a Delta Elite for the collector or shooter alike. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
