a little more research...guess it was a pre-1968 or 1969 Colt Alloy Commander (pre-lightweight designation) and a very early copy at that.

I should also add it has a spur hammer rather than the typical commander hammer. Grips are checkered but no logos or medallions. I am unsure if those features are indicative of a stock pistol or not.


Looks good for me to pick up, but would love any more insight the community could provide!

 

Are you positive it's a Colt frame ?

 

not 100% but reasonably. Frame is stamped around the trigger guard on the opposite side, and as I look at more images of early examples, the format of the serial # appears to be legit. That was my first huge question. At this point, it looks like the most likely non-OE parts are certainly the trigger, and possibly the hammer (I only took the one picture).

 

hard to tell from pic but maybe original trigger as it looks like it has a trigger shoe on it.

 

I always enjoy these mystery threads because they're usually a great learning opportunity. Sorry I can't be of assistance.

 

Actually scratch that, I did find Colt frames just prior to 1968 that used this serial number as their norm. After 1968 they went to the CLW prefix...Prior to the gun control act it says of 1968 they used the LW suffix and then that gun control act required them to change their serial numbers to a CLW prefix.. Not a professional at this, just something I picked up through a link.

 

Not seeing the Colts Hartford on the frame above the grip which makes me question it’s a Colt frame

 

The other thing that caught my eye was the “.” After the LW. I’ve found pics of Colts with and without, makes me wonder if it’s an aftermarket frame. The slide is definitely authentic.

 

Call Colt Customer Service 800-962-2658. They will tell you what you're looking for.

 

What did you find out it is

 

It is a 1950 Colt Alloy Commander (the predecessor of the Lightweight Commander).
Trigger (or shoe) is not stock, the hammer is from a similar year Colt Gov't,but also not stock. The grips on the 1949-1951 were fragile, and thus on the one I am looking at, replaced (and nearly impossible to find at this point). Sights are also period, but not stock (they came on some 1960's era commanders apparently) The rest is correct.

The store is asking a fair price for the pistol without box or provenance, and in .45 it's not terribly collectable, but they make for fun shooters. Plenty of aftermarket support for more accurate barrels and whatnot, and the blue is in really good shape.

I'm about 85% on picking it up, so if I do, I'll follow with some more pics.

 

Ever consider using YOUR info about so many parts being add-ons, non-stock parts, etc. to your advantage in haggling the price? Don't be afraid to do it, most guys wouldn't have even to know where to look. Could save you a bunch if he thinks it is stock.

 

An excellent point and yes, I plan to try and knock it down a bit. They’re already offering me a fair market value (though to be fair, a coincidence) because I am fortunate to be a valued customer. It’s a local joint I enjoy, so as long as I’m not getting a haircut I am ok paying fair to keep them going against the big guys in town.

The good news is the folks there are enthusiasts and will love to hear what I have learned. I am sure we will come to an equitable agreement for everyone.

 

The Bo Mar sights were a popular aftermarket addition .

 

In the pics I’ve seen in research, they seem fairly common. I’m thinking I’ll turn this into a project to return to original condition. Apparently the stocks are the hardest part to find for these early pistols. Might try and get some made if I can’t find originals (at least until I do). It’s pretty and a shooter either way.

I’m at the point where I’m ok with a safe-queen and/or project to tinker with and wait to find parts. I think it will be fun!

I’ve been waiting for a vintage blued pistol that’s in decent condition. This seems to fit the bill if I can get the price just right.

 

I found what appears to be a blued Colt Lightweight Commander. The shop wasn’t 100% sure on history, and a cursory search of the Colt database didn’t yield any results, as this serial doesn’t follow the normal CLW prefix system. That means it’s either early, a non-colt frame, or a mystery to me. There are what appear to be a few aftermarket parts here, most certainly the trigger.

I am hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on this tiny mystery. I’ll likely pick it up as it looks fun, and the slide blue is in pretty good shape.

Many thanks in advance!

Pic of Serial below

If you want quality info, there's a group on Facebook with a lot of very qualified Colt historians that are happy to help. BUT, you have to start an account on Facebook, join the group and then ask. Here's the link to the group once you start an account:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Vintage1911Pistols/?ref=bookmarks

 

That’s really cool. Good luck. I hope you are able to grab that one. Older blued guns are just gorgeous to me even if a bit worn.

 

Regular production began in 1949. All pre-70 series recievers and mainspring housings were made of Coltalloy. Serial numbers extended from 001-065 in 1949, and 66-LW to 60277-LW from 1950 to 1969.

 

I’m gonna have to pick this up today. I appreciate all of the feedback and information. This really is a great community, and being able to get real tangible info in under 24 hours is worth its weight in gold. I’ll post pics later when I go back and grab it.

Again, many thanks to everyone for the insight and help.

 

An early one. As mentioned 1950 was the first year of real production with pistol 66-LW to 6090-LW being made that year and in typical Colt fashion and to confuse us down the road 5500-LW to 20700-LW were made in 1951. I would carefully check the feed ramp and also the slide as these guys had lightened slides also. That is in addition to things that one would check on any other old 1911.

 

Do you happen to know where the typical places for any frame cracking are on these? I’ll be going back in a couple of hours to take another look. Many thanks!

 

Here she is all cleaned up. It sat in a safe for quite some time as far as I can tell, some dried up grease was present. The shop got it at an estate sale with a number of other higher-end items, but I’m pretty happy with it! All mechanicals look good...so a trip to he range is next! A few pics below.

 

Congrats on a great gun. Enjoy finding the parts ya want and shoot the hell out of it. LOL

 

That's the plan! The pics don't do it too much justice, the sides are a plum blue and nicely polished.

 

Here is an interesting thread on feed ramps on LW Colt frames...

https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=919682

 

Very interesting read. My ramp is not at all polished or unaltered in any way. Best I can tell, relative to its age, this has a fairly low round count.

I took it out this AM, put 150 rounds of 230gr ball through it. One wee FTF first couple of magazines, then flawless the rest of the time. It allegedly sat in a safe for at least 10 years, so that was anticipated. I have a spring kit on the way just to be safe, and this will be a fine shooter.

It was pretty good accuracy-wise out to 15 yards. For a 4.25 barrel that’s good enough for me. Sights needed just a tiny bit of adjustment for elevation, but it’s a gem!

 

Got yourself a pretty piece of history there. Have lots of fun hunting down parts and restoring it. Thanks for passing her along for my viewing pleasure.

 

From the wear marks on the barrel, slide, & frame, it was shot, but not too much.
Congrats to this addition to your collection.

 

nice find . please change that rear sight to a fixed . it will be perfect then . thanks for the photos and the story and sharing with us. Thanks

 

Nice little pony you have there. Is that a wide spur hammer from a 1911 you have?

 

It is indeed....likely that and the sights completed by the original owner (from my research, the spur was a very common mod on commanders).

I had to replace the grips...the ones pictured are not original, not great, and while I will keep them (and all other parts that came with it I am swapping, springs, etc.) I wanted something a little prettier to dress this lady up a bit...after all, according to the shop who bought it from an estate, it was a one-owner piece that sat in a safe for a very long time.

I figured a pair of WoodCaliber Cocobolo grips would look nice...I was right! new grip mounted, the old to the right.

 

A really nice find. Old Colts are 1911s to cherish & of course shoot.
Have you found any pics of the original grip panels? I'll bet the MSH
is not made of plastic.
We should all be so lucky.

 

I have found pics of the original multi-colored grips, as well as the slightly later brown ones. The latter can be found, the former, are exceedingly rare, as they had a tendency to shrink if they spent any time off the frame....and the ones I have found are.....expensive. Given the condition of this one, I think I will forego that search unless I stumble on some at a flea-market or otherwise.

As for the MSH....no...it appears to be anodized aluminum like the rest of the frame as it has faded in precisely the same way! .o:

 

I found what appears to be a blued Colt Lightweight Commander. The shop wasn’t 100% sure on history, and a cursory search of the Colt database didn’t yield any results, as this serial doesn’t follow the normal CLW prefix system. That means it’s either early, a non-colt frame, or a mystery to me. There are what appear to be a few aftermarket parts here, most certainly the trigger.

I am hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on this tiny mystery. I’ll likely pick it up as it looks fun, and the slide blue is in pretty good shape.

Many thanks in advance!

Pic of Serial below

you might have a parts pistol here.
is the same serial number on the slide and frame a match?

 

I may have just purchased your colt from my local gun shop. It has same serial number and everything appears to match your pics.