Pre 70 series Combat Commander?

[Gordon]

Did'nt think this existed , BUT me and my partner each got one from an estate sale Serial # is SM and 4 digits for each one they are 367 apart in serialization. Both unforunately are NOT 100% stock . Mine has a Pachmaeyer ambi safety and early beavertail and a solid long trigger, my Partners' has King Tappan sights and King trigger and grip safety. Slide marked "Combat Commander " on two lines on left side with the Colt Ptd firearms seal and .45 automatic caliber . Right side has "Colt's Combat Commander Model" in small older style roll marks.These guns were bought in 1971 according to the widow, and "enhanced" by Pachmeyer & King gun works in middle 70's. $1000 for both. They are in a solid 95% show very little signs of shooting. I found em so I chose the Pachmayer marked one! Pictures will follow in 2 weeks!

 

[9mmepiphany]

what would make them "pre 70 series"...did commanders ever come from the factory with the collect bushings?

 

[Gordon]

No but serialization is pre 70 series, and the early style roll marking contain the word 'model' like earlier commanders, and construction looks 'pre 70' like a pre 70 govt does to the practiced eye.

 

[Dave T]

I knew the guy who bought the very first "Combat Commander" to be shipped to this area by Colt. It had a serial number that started with 70BSXXXX (the "BS" stood for "BLue Steel"). If your guns don't start with that serial number marking, I would suggest you have parts guns, made up by someone who didn't want to spend the money on a new gun. The early Combat Commanders I've seen (my wife hand one she bought in '74 or '75) had the markings you describe and looked significantly better than what you saw later or see now.

 

[Gordon]

OK , my MAJOR screw up. Although the pistols are as described AND serial # are close together, they DO begin with 70 BS. I was not copying down the serial # when I bought them, and took the number off of my reciept for leaving them in FFL dealers hand for DEROS period. Somehow he gave me these serial#'s-unexplainedly! I went back and examined them this PM and yes both begin 70BS .... so the mystery is another non mystery , but damn they are nice looking 1970 guns!

 

[1911Tuner]

Pre-70 Commander

T'was asked:

what would make them "pre 70 series"...did commanders ever come from the factory with the collect bushings?

Since the collet bushing was basically what defined Series 70 pistols,
and Colt never produced a Commander with a collet bushing, technically there was never any such thing as a "Series 70 Commander". They
all came with the solid bushing...shortened for use in the shorter slide.
Anything could have come from the custom shop, I suppose...but never as a
regular production option.

There were pre-Series 70 Government Models and Gold Cups...There
were Series 70 Government Models and Gold Cups...and there were
Series 80 Government Models, Gold Cups, and Commanders.
Pre-Series 80 Commanders were just...Commanders, both
LW and Combat.

Cheers!

Tuner

 

[71Commander]

Then what does 70 SC designate ? Satin Commander

 

[1911Tuner]

Designation

TennTucker asked:

Then what does 70 SC designate ?

Slick Colt...


I'm gonna refer that one to our serial number man, dsk. He's got lists that
even Colt ain't got.

HAY DANA!!! You got this one?