II World War Commando

[fugio]

Who can explain the importance of the the "flaming bomb" on the parkerized Commando? Does it "command", (sorry for the pun), a premium over the models that don't have the flaming bomb? Thanks for your help here since I am looking at four:

Candidate # 1



Candidate #2






candidate #3








Candidate #4:







So what do you all think about these little fellas? They range in the $750 - $800
range.. No boxes or papers

[Abe Anglin]

The "Ord Bomb" is the proof of final acceptance by the Army Ordnance Dept's in-house inspector at Colt.

It indicates two things, 1) that the firearm meets are contractual requirements (and thus will be paid for by the government)
and 2) that it is ready to ship to a depot for issue to troops .......

Not all Commandos had the Ord Bomb applied. Only those that went to the US Army for distribution.

Others went out unmarked and were shipped to the Defense Supply Corporation for issue to Defense Plants, Police Dept.'s and other qualified organizations that applied for purchase of firearms outside the US Army supply system.

Sale of all NEWLY manufactured firearms during WW2 were strictly controlled and were basically rationed on an as-needed and priority basis.

hth ~

[Abe Anglin]

As to the examples shown; the walnut grips are incorrect for any WW2 issued Colt Commando / in my opinion

others here may disagree

[fugio]

As to the examples shown; the walnut grips are incorrect for any WW2 issued Colt Commando / in my opinion

others here may disagree

Which grips should they have?

Image Search Results for colt wwii commando

[A1A]

Most had the dark brown plastic Coltwood (or other material) stocks, but there are claims as mentioned that some, especially early ones, were supplied with the checkered walnut with medallions which were standard on other models at that time.

[DCWilson]

The proper Commando stocks are Coltwood (plastic) as far as I know, but I could be wrong.

Those are nice guns. I have a couple that are probably unfired, but I don't have the box. There are some Commando threads in the archives here that you might like to look at.

I just posted this pic not too long ago, but since the subject came up again I will recycle it. Without looking up the number to be sure, I recall that only 50,000 or so Commandos were assembled, and the lion's share had four-inch barrels. Some very high-condition models have been turning up in recent years, so I suspect that some of those produced were never even distributed.

[A1A]

This previous discussion goes back a ways: Colt commando 38 wood or plastic grips

[fugio]

Thanks guys, as usual, very helpful. btw, nice Commandos there DCWilson

[elliotf]

Here is a good link about the commando. It shows pictures of the both sides of the grips and markings:

http://coolgunsite.com/pistols/ColtC...o/default.html

and another link on history:

The World War II Commando Revolver

[Abe Anglin]

another link on the Commando's history: The World War II Commando Revolver

Pate's article is definitive / thanks for posting it