When first introduced the Commander Model was, as R.L. Wilson put it, “a radically new pistol in the Colt line.” The Commander Model was built with an alloy frame and steel side and was Colt’s first successful attempt at mass producing a lightweight, heavy caliber automatic pistol. The pistol was less bulky and about 35% lighter than its iconic older sister, the Government Model. The pistol was an immediate success from the moment it first appeared on the Colt price list of 1950 and was even tested by the U.S. government. An all steel version, known as the Combat Commander, was introduced in 1970. Offered here is a very fine example of an extremely early production Colt Combat Commander lightweight alloy frame and steel slide pistol chambered in the very desirable "38 Super Automatic" cartridge. This pistol, serial number “90-LW,” was manufactured circa 1950 in the second month of production. The majority of these were manufactured in the standard 45 ACP cartridge as the 38 Super was very hard on the aluminum frames. This pistol features the standard fixed front and rear sight with a ring hammer, serrated slide stop, safety lever and arched main spring housing. The left side of the slide is marked "COMMANDER MODEL/COLT/SUPER .38/AUTOMATIC", with the right side marked "COLT'S MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." The bottom of the magazine is marked "COLT/SUPER/38 AUTO". It has the Colt high polish blue finish on the slide with the blackened/anodized finish on the aluminum frame. The barrel is also blued with the chamber area polished in the white. It is fitted with dark brown checkered plastic grips.

Very fine with 85% plus of the original combination factory anodized/blue finish remaining overall with some very light thinning visible on the front grip strap, front upper edge of the frame extension and trigger guard bow. The grips are in excellent condition. Mechanically excellent. A very rare and highly desirable early production two-digit number Colt lightweight Commander in the .38 Super Automatic Cartridge.