Colt Commercial, slide issues...

[Viking Guy]

Hey Guys,

An old friend also my best man, recently passed away and I'm disposing of his firearms (per his wishes) for his widow. I'm a bit stumped on a Colt Commercial that was part of his collection. I've no problem identifying the frame as the S/N is "C" prefixed and indicates the piece was built in 1941. The slide however appears to be not original to the piece.

It has either bead blased or parked sides with a blued top. The sights are three dot, certainly after market. The slide has the almost correct lettering on the left side (what I've gleaned from photos anyway). By almost correct I mean there is no "Rampant Colt" either between the roll marks or aft above the safety. As to the roll marks, all photos I've seen show two lines on the left of either a space or a Colt and two lines to the right. We have that here except the top line on the left hand roll marks is not the same length as the bottom line and is centered above the bottom line. The right side of the slide is blank.

The barrel is not original nor are the grips and other minor pieces though I'm seeming to find them mixed in with other stuff. I know that commercials of this vintage can bring nice prices so I'm wondering if a parts search for a correct slide (if attainable) would be in order or if this should just be sold basically for the sum of its parts. The blue on the frame remains fairly nice.

On the up side, I've been able to get market prices for his other stuff (mainly milsurps). It does put a bit of a lump in your throat doing this but that was our agreement...whoever went first would do this for the others wife.

TIA, VG

[Viking Guy]

The slide looks just like the slide on Mr. Holbrook's USS Maine slide. Again, there is no marking on the left side and no horse anywhere.

VG

[Viking Guy]

Long day...no markings on the right side

[Johnny P]

The correct slide from that period should have two continuous lines of the same length with the Colt markings on top and the patent dates below that. The markings in the upper line are larger than the lower line. The right side should have the Colt marking with the caliber and Rampant Colt.
If it is a 1941 gun, the original slide would have been numbered to the pistol. How about the serial number?

[Viking Guy]

Thank you for the reply.
Below the Government Model stamp, C204103

[Johnny P]

You are correct that the original manufacture date would have been in the 1940/41 time frame. Does the receiver have the Swartz Safety parts, or the hole where they went? The hole in the receiver for the Swartz Safety would be just to the right of the disconnector. There will be a corresponding cut in the slide just above the hole in the receiver.

[Viking Guy]

It does not appear to have the Swartz cut. Certainly the slide does not. I've compared my WWII Remington Rand to this piece and they seem pretty much the same.

[Johnny P]

Pictures sure would help.

[Viking Guy]

I'll try to figure that out tomorrow. I really appreciate all the help so far.

Thanks, VG

[Viking Guy]

I'm either having camera issues or am camera challenged. So, I'll keep working it.

VG