Venry d’Aiguillon Custom Colt Combat Commander 1911 .45 ACP 4.25″ Pistol
SOLD FOR: $3604
LSB#: 230405BS002
Make: Colt / Venry d’Aiguillon
Model: Custom Combat Commander
Serial Number: 70BS88524
Year of Manufacture: 1979 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Semi-Auto Single Action Pistol fed by Detachable Magazine
Markings: The right side of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and with the serial number. The barrel bushing is marked “Micro”. The interior of the grips is marked “EAGLE / GRIPS”. The left side of the slide has faint remains of Colt markings. The right bow of the trigger guard is marked “L”.
Barrel Length: 4 1/4?
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a checkered square notch Bomar-style target sight mounted to the slide. The top of the slide is serrated for glare reduction. The rear of the slide is checkered for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth wood Eagle Grips with contours by the thumb and index finger. The fronstrap has been customized and now has deep finger grooves. The grips have some scattered draglines and compressions. There are a few little marks through the finish. The grips rate in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original to Customization
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly light gray and the rifling is sharp. There are some spots of light surface erosion. In my opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This gun retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The slide has gone plum. There is some finish wear on the edges, mostly on the leading edges of he slide. There are a few minor marks and areas of faint thinning. The bright surfaces have small spots of discoloration from previous oxidation. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear except for the original Colt slide markings. Overall, this gun rates in about Fine Plus condition as customized.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has very minor play to the frame. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box & Accessories: Included is a print-out of an American Handgunner magazine that mentions Mr. d’Aiguillons work and a single 7-round magazine.
Our Assessment: This is a Colt Combat Commander Model pistol made in 1979 that has been customized by gunsmith Venry d’Aiguillon. From a March 2001 article in the American Rifleman: “Custom tuning of the M1911 is not new, but, prior to Swenson, gunsmiths such as Bob Chow, Jim Clark and Al Dinan had focused solely on accuracy work for NRA Bullseye pistol competition. Along with lightening triggers and installing adjustable sights, the Government Model had never been customized specifically for combative purposes—a genre that later came to be known as “custom combat” gunsmithing—until a handful of pistolsmiths in Southern California began modifying the big slab-sided pistol for down-and-dirty use.”.
While the innovators in California were hard at work defining a genre, there was another gunsmith nearly 3000 miles away in New Jersey. While he didn’t get as much time in the press as his contemporaries, the custom 1911 aficionados are sure to know the name, Mr. Venry d’Aiguillon. He was, and is, known for striking visuals and out-of-the-box thinking. His services can be seen on offer in the 1982 Jan-Feb edition of American Handgunner where he advertises his services as follows: “Accurizing and action work on autos or reovolvers. Full house combat autos, PPC reovolvers, NRA target. Colt .45, Browning, S&W K & N frames, also silhouette pistols.” An example of his work can also be seen in the Jan-Feb 1981 issue, a printout of which is included (https://americanhandgunner.com/1981issues/HJF81.pdf). He worked for Outdoor Precision Sports & Crafts and also Radical Precision Design. He was also active on the forums and was a friendly enthusiast.
This pistol has a lowered and flared ejection port, custom target sights, an extended ambidextrous safety, beveled magazine well, decked and serrated slide top, an opened up trigger slot with Gold Cup trigger, jeweled parts, custom checkering and a staple of ’80s swag…the squared trigger guard! Most notably though, this pistol features Mr. d’Aiguillons finger groove fronstrap, it is a feature as cool looking as it is comfortable. When in hand the pistol melts into you and the shooter and gun become one, the .45 becomes an extension of you! This pistol was refinished in a traditional blue after all the custom work was done, and is in Fine Plus condition with about 96% of its finish remaining. This pistol was made for the serious shooter who wanted a top performing pistol. This pistol is great for action pistol events as well as for personal protection. This is an extremely nice looking gun that can also be used for home defense. This is a 1911 we are sure the collectors will appreciate but it will certainly be a joy to shoot. Please see our photos and good luck!
Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red
