Some are suggesting that Colt threw away its engineering drawings, process specifications, etc. That's utter nonsense -- much like suggesting that engineering drawings weren't important before the advent of automated production.
If (as has generally established) those who controlled the company were not interested in expanding handgun production, while being focused of military contracts - domestic and foreign - for rifles...
Why would they be concerned about drawings and process specifications for past discontinued products that couldn't be produced at prices the market would accept, and they had no perceived interest in reintroducing them?
Even more so when sales and production data for most showed that consumer demand was declining across the board?
You may be knowledgeable about practices and procedures in other manufacturing companies, but I don't think you know zip about firearms in general, or handguns in particular.