Manufactured in 1950, this was the first lightweight Commander Model pistol produced by Colt. In 1949 Colt had produced 65 tool room prototypes to test the feasibility of an aluminum frame semi-automatic pistol, with none of them bearing the "LW" serial number suffix like the standard production pistols. The left side of the slide is marked "COMMANDER/MODEL" and "AUTOMATIC/CALIBER .45" bisected by "COLT" and followed by a Rampant Colt, and the right side has the Colt address. The early two digit serial number "66-LW" is marked on the right of the anodized aluminum frame. The chamber area of the barrel is polished and marked "COLT .45 AUTO". Includes information regarding the production of the lightweight Commander Model pistol. Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection

Very fine, retains 90% of the original blue finish and 95% plus of the original black anodized finish with the balance a smooth grey patina, primarily on edges, and a few small patches of rough oxidation on the upper edge of the right side of the slide. The grips are very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.