Just got offered a Colt Combat Commander...

[GaryK]

Here in Houston a Commander in that condition would easily bring $750+. I saw a Series 70 Government Model in near new condition at a show this weekend with an asking price of $850. The prices on these guns are rising rapidly. I traded into a 90% Series 70 Government Model that is stock except for Micro sights and a FLGR this weekend. I have about $575 of trade value into it and consider that I got a reasonable deal. I saw a 90% blued Commander and a 90% Satin Commander that both had asking prices of $600. I suspect the drive out prices would have been between $550 and $575. Like new Gold Cups of the same era have asking prices of around $1100 or so.

 

[Felonious Monk]

Okay...now that I've had some time to go over it, here's an update: Took it up to my FFL and he was very excited, and offered me $550 and said he could EASILY make a hundred to $150 on it retail, with a little cleanup. He saw some things I didn't; there's some real light pitting where the web of your hand behind your index finger crosses behind the grip, and a touch of light discoloration on the hammer. He said BOTH of these would come out with a little steel wool, but I'll leave that to whoever buys it. He said conservatively it was at least 96%, but maybe better than that.

Old fella I'm selling it for was in the Mekong Delta as a .50 cal gunner. I could tell he had ALOT of stories to tell, but it wasn't the time or place to hear them, with his illness.
I told him we should go have a burger or a glass of tea sometime, mainly because it seemed there was alot he wanted to talk about. Maybe a book to write one of these days!!!

FM

 

[DoubleAction]

Starting with the Mark IV / Series '70, in 1970, Colt started using serial number prefixes to indentify certain models; In 1979 the prefixes changed. The pre '70 Colt's are those which were manufactured prior to the Series 70. Although the Mark IV / Series 70 is known for it's Collet Bushing; The Combat Government also came from the factory with the same bushing, with no markings indentifying it as a Series 70, except for it's serial number prefix of "70".

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[Felonious Monk]

DA-- with barrel facing to the left, the slide on this one says

Combat ............... .... Automatic
Commander COLT ...Caliber .45 (Picture of horse)

--with barrel facing to the right, the slide says
COLT'S COMBAT COMMANDER

Does that clarify anything?

FM

 

[DoubleAction]

Absolutely one of my favorites; It too has a "70" series serial number. I would not part with this one if I was offered $1,000., although I have other pistols that could replace it. Monk; If the pitting is not on the frame, but rather the grip safety, your in excellent shape. The trigger can be replaced with a new and better one from whoever buys it. I look at the Frame, Slide, and Barrel, the condition, finish, and fit; Everything else is easy.

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[DoubleAction]

After giving the sale of the pistol in question some thought, I would recommend that you find a dealer, with some good traffic, and sell it on cosignment. The chances of getting what the gun is worth is much better than selling straight out to a dealer. If it has a good slide to frame fit,good barrel lockup, polished blued flats,with no scratches, or edges rubbed bare; The gun should easily bring $700. It all really depends on the local market for Colts and the economy, many people are buying into the newer pistols that come from the factory with modifications that are considered custom items with the older Colts.

 

[Felonious Monk]

Thanks DA, and ALL of you knowledgeable folks who helped me on this.

Someone from THR has contacted me with an offer, I presented that to my friend and she was happy with it, so it's sold pending funds at a level that's been mentioned by you guys in this thread.

Maybe not what it *might* have brought, but if both parties are happy, I feel like good was done all around.

Plus, if it's a few bucks less than maximum (benefits a THR brother in arms) but more than the seller expected (benefits my local friend), I call that a Win-Win!

FM

 

[ulflyer]

"What the heck is a fignozzle, anyway?"

A musical instrument: a 12 inch hollow pipe that you blow into both ends at same time.

 

[Felonious Monk]

good one, ulflyer.

It's actually a mispronounced cuss word by an old lady with a thick German accent that made us delinquent teenagers roll on the floor laughing until she chased us with the butcher knife or soup ladle or whatever else fell to hand for her at the time. She was my best friends' mom.