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Serial Number/Price |
Pictures |
Description |
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0023-LW Sale Pending $6500 |
In 1949 Colt introduced a new family of
smaller lighter automatic pistols based on the famous Government Model called
the “Lightweight Commander”. The lightweight pistol was Colt’s answer to a
requirement from the US Army for a lighter pistol chambered for the 9mm
NATO cartridge. Made from an aluminum alloy Colt called “Coltalloy”
this new pistol weighed only 26.5 ounces and was chambered in 9mm Luger (Nato), .38 Super and .45 ACP. Serial number 0023 was
built in the first year pilot production of only 65 pistols and is chambered
in .38 Super. It was subsequently sold
thru J.M. Dinken Company, New York, NY and was
shipped directly to Captain H.W. Richards thru APO 500, San Francisco, CA. Captain Richards served as a member of the
famous 441St Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment, GHQ, Far East
Command (FEC) in Japan under General Douglas MacArthur. A note in the history
of the 441ST indicates that the officers and men began requesting
better arms, as the Korean War loomed nearer, because their issue arms were
limited to .38 revolvers. Capt. Richards apparently purchased this pistol
with personal funds and it was delivered just months before the beginning of
the Korean War. For a history of the 441st CIC go here: http://www.441st.com/ This pistol is in near perfect original
condition with 99% of the original bright blue finish on the slide and small
parts. It has no visible wear to the “Coltalloy”
receiver. This Commander comes with the original Colt Historical letter. |
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