Early Colt Lightweight Commander Pistol 38 Super Auto 1951 w/ Letter

Serial #10223-LW, .38 Super Auto, 4.25 inch barrel with an excellent bore.  This is the Lightweight Colt Commander Model pistol manufactured in 1951 which was the third year of production.  The metal surfaces retain about 85-90% original blue and anodized finishes with small amounts of a later added blue in the slide top.   The frontstrap, grip safety, and arched mainspring housing have to toned to gray in addition to fine pitting along the top edges of the slide, and light to moderate edge wear.  The brown checkered Coltwood grips feature Rampant Colt monograms and remain in near excellent condition showing light wear. This gun has a serrated ramp front sight, drift adjustable rear sight, and the other features are correct for the period of manufacture. It includes a single factory marked nine-round magazine. It also includes a factory letter indicating this gun shipped as described on May 18, 1951, to Charles Ilfeld Company, Albuquerque, New Mexico, in a fifteen gun delivery.  A fine example of these early Commander model pistols in desirable .38 Super.  FFL or C&R