WWII U.S. Colt Commando .38 Spl. SA/DA Double Action Revolver, MFD 1942 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1775.01
LSB#: 210917DS14
Make: Colt
Model: Commando
Serial Number: 43691
Year of Manufacture: 1942 (COLT Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: 6-Shot, DA/SA Double and Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT COMMANDO / .38 SPECIAL”, the top is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. / PAT’D AUG.5.1884. JULY 4.1905. OCT.5.1926.”. The left-front of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle, the left-rear with an upside-down “A”. The crane and crane cut are each marked with the serial number, “43691” and the crane is also marked “H” and “L”.
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch in the topstrap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece Coltwood checkered panels with molded Colt medallions and smooth borders. Lower edges have a few light nicks with the lower right edge having a cluster of finer nicks. Rear edges have intermittent light nicks. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well-defined. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-to-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its parkerized finish. There is minor thinning on many edges, the most obvious being on the left side of the barrel and the right side of the frame. There are scattered minor scuffs, mainly on the cylinder. The cylinder has light thinning on most edges. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up solidly on all chambers with the trigger depressed. The double-action trigger is smooth, the single action is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This Commando includes a brown leather flap holster.
Our Assessment: As the United States entered World War II, demand for all things military strained even the massive industrial capacity of America. Front-line arms were prioritized for front-line units, but there was also a need to arm law enforcement, guards at factories and other sites with strategic importance, the Maritime Commission and various other non-combat roles which still required arms. To help fill this demand, Colt produced a variation of their Official Police revolver with specifications determined by the US Government. The result was the Commando revolver, roughly equivalent to Smith & Wesson’s Victory model, with 50,617 produced from 1942-1945. This example, produced in 1942, is in great shape, retaining most of its original finish, it has a bright bore and strong mechanics. This revolver should make a great addition to a Colt or WWII small arms collection. Good luck and happy bidding!