Need info...

[johnkeltgen]

My stepfather-in-law has an old revolver. He's not sure of the year since there are no less than three patent years engraved on it, plus the year 1951 engraved under the barrel in front of the cylinder (cannot be seen unless you swing out the cylinder). It's called a Colt Commando, .38 Special, Double action. He got it from his uncle in 1957, his uncle got it from his (the uncle's) uncle WAY back in the day supposedly. He has taken it to gun shops, looked in gun encyclopedias, and online and can VERY little information on it. He asked if I could find any info on it and I figured that this board would be the best place to ask. If I can't get any info on here, I'll have to start writing to the big gun magazines (American Shooter, Guns & Ammo, etc.) and I don't really care to do that. So, if anyone has ANY info on it, please write to me DIRECTLY (I sometimes forget where and when I posted questions) at: johnkeltgen@yahoo.com ANY info is appreciated, but he'd like to know the value. Not to sell it, just out of curiosity. It's been in the family for years and he's going to keep it that way. He's mainly interested in the HISTORY of the gun. thanks for all the help, in advance.

[8mm/06]

The only Colt Commando I could find in my old Modern Gun values book is said to have been brought out in 1984 and discontinued in 1987.
HOWEVER, it is said to have the same specs as the Detective Special, which has been aroud in one form or another since 1926 and was dropped in 1972.....Then a Re-vamp of the old Detective Special came out in 1972 with a heavier barrel and other "improvements"
If your gun is a "Detective Special" and was produced before 1972, and is in excellent condition....its value, as predicted in my Modern Gun values of 1991, is listed at 300 - 325

So with inflation maybe 375 - 475 if in excellent condition....probably considerably less

[Ruger-Redhawk]

All I can find is : Colt Commando Special DA Revolver......295.00
Caliber:38 Special.6 shot:2"bbl. 6.88inches overall.Weight 21.5 oz.Fixed sights lower luster blued finish. Made from 1982-86.
This came out of a Gun Traders Guide which is a few years old.Sounds to me it was a variation of the Dectective Spl.The Viper was the same gun but toted a 3:bbl if I remember correctly.
Ruger Redhawk

[halcon]

It says the colt Commando was for all intents and purposes a official police chambered for the 38 special . 2, 4, and 6" barrels .It would be stamped "Colt Commando"on the barrel . approximately 50,000 manufactured between 1942-1945 for use in world war II. Value is $550 exc to $100 poor condition . Add 30% for the 2" barrel .

[johnkeltgen]

Hmmmm, this one has a 4" barrel I'm pretty sure. I did some searching, DEEP searching, and I found some info... maybe. I think this may be one of those guns that one would have to take to a BIG gun show and find an antique gun collector. I've found numerous Colt Commando references, surprisingly, but none really matched the gun I saw. You guys know how it goes... it's one of those guns that is hard to trace. I myself have an old .30-06 that had NO markings on it. I couldn't find out what the hell gun it was until i took it to a big gun show. Apparently, I have a Vietnam era sniper rifle manufactured by Springfield Armory. The gun had NO markings on it whatsoever. How my dad found out it was a .30-06 is beyond me. My dad was in Vietnam, but he'd never went into ANY detail about his time there, which is not uncommon. For all I know, it could've been his... except that he's a REALLY poor shot. If he's faking his lack of skill in shooting, he's VERY convincing.