Lot 168

Bob" Loveless Colt "Old Smoothie" Lightweight Commander Pistol

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Bob" Loveless Colt "Old Smoothie" Lightweight Commander Pistol

Estimate: $9,500 - $16,000

Starting Bid: $8,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Desirable Cased Master Knifemaker Robert W. "Bob" Loveless Colt "Old Smoothie" Lightweight Commander Semi-Automatic Pistol with Scrimshawed Ivory Grips, Loveless Knife, and Sheath Born in Warren, Ohio, in 1929, Robert Waldorf "Bob" Loveless went on to become one of the greatest American knifemakers of all time. When he was just 14, Loveless altered his birth certificate to allow him to join the Merchant Marine during World War II. During his time at sea, he witnessed more than a few knife fights in foreign ports, which he attributed as a major influence in getting him into knifemaking. Later, Loveless acted as an Army Air Corps control tower operator on Iwo Jima. In 1950 he attended Chicago's Armour Institute of Technology and later attended Kent State University. In 1953, Loveless again joined the Merchant Marine based in New York, where he visited Abercrombie & Fitch and tried to order a Randall knife. Learning that the current wait time was nine months for the knife he wanted, Loveless decided to simply make his own, grinding his first knife blade from a 1937 Packard leaf spring, forging it on the oil-fired galley stove of the ship. He returned to Abercrombie & Fitch with his knife, showing it to the head of their cutlery department, eventually selling his knives to the retailer for $14 each. From 1954 to 1960, Loveless produced knives called "Delaware Maids" for the retailer, essentially copies of Randall's designs that even outsold the Randalls. By 1960, Loveless had begun making his own designs and innovations, and in 1970 he was one of the founding members of the Knifemaker's Guild, serving as the organizations first secretary and then two terms as its president from 1973 to 1976. Through studying 19th century knifemaking techniques, Loveless reinvented the "fully-tapered-tang" method of knife construction, which placed the balance of the knife near its center and making it incredibly strong. In 1972, Loveless introduced ATS-34 stainless steel knives to the market and also began pioneering the use of Micarta for grips. He went on to design knives for multiple major manufacturers, including Gerber, Beretta, and Schrade Cutlery, as well as being a participating maker in the Art Knife Invitational Show from 1993 to 2006. Though primarily known as a knife maker, Loveless also dabbled in firearms and their innovation, as clearly evidenced by this pistol. In 1985, he was inducted into the "Blade" magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame. In 2010 Loveless died, having forged a legacy as one of the America's, and the world's greatest knifemakers. Manufactured c. 1980 to 1981, this particular Colt Lightweight Commander was subsequently configured by the master knifemaker Bob Loveless. An article in the included copy of "The Gun Digest Book of the .45" by Dean A. Grennell includes an article about the alterations Loveless preferred to make to these pistols and features pictures of a Colt Commander that looks very similar to this one. The first page of the article is also signed by Loveless. In the article, Loveless mentions that the overarching idea with his modifications was to remove all the parts that "dig and gouge", making for a very comfortably shooting pistol. The article notes that the result is a "de-fanged" Commander pistol that Loveless called "Old Smoothie". The slide retains the standard Colt Commander markings as well as the typical Loveless knifemaker's mark on the right. The forward portions of the slide have "Browning cuts", similar to a High-Power pistol, where there are further etched Loveless markings featuring a nude woman on either side. The right of the frame is marked with the typical Colt address and serial number, and Loveless' "R.W.L." initials are electro-penciled at the rear. The consignor indicated that this "R.W.L." marking denotes guns that personally belonged to Loveless. The front grip strap and mainspring housing are stippled, as are the slide release and reshaped thumb safety. Most of the sharp edges on the pistol have been "bobbed", as have the grip safety and the hammer. It is fitted with a ramp blade front sight with orange insert and a notch rear sight. It is fitted with a pair of smooth ivory grips, each expertly scrimshawed with a highly detailed nude woman and each signed "KDH". Includes a highly desirable R. W. Loveless drop point knife dated 2004 with the ricasso lightly marked "J.M.", measuring 8 1/8 inches overall and having stag grip scales. Included with the knife is a leather sheath both stamped and signed by Loveless. Also included is a highly attractive hardwood case with the interior fitted for both the pistol and the knife. The consignor, Jack Lucarelli, notes that Bob Loveless used to say "I can count my friends on one hand", and that he and his wife Jeannie Wilson were included among that select group.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Commander

BBL: 4 1/4 inch round

Gauge: 45 Auto

Finish: chrome

Grips: incised, enameled ivory

Serial NumberCLW044440

Class: Modern Handgun

  • Provenance: The Bob Loveless Collection; The Jack Lucarelli Collection
  • Condition: Excellent overall as customized by Master Knifemaker Robert W. Loveless, retaining 99% plus of both the polished and matte chrome finishes and extremely light handling evidence. Mechanically excellent. The knife and case are equally excellent with only the slightest handling evidence.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000