THU JAN 22, US WWII VERY EARLY 1942 PRODUCTION COLT COMMANDO REVOLVER, RARE US ORDNANCE MARKING “AOP”, ARKANSAS ORDNANCE PLANT, MINT CRISP!

In 98% mint crisp condition, we have a early 1942 production US WWII Issued Colt Commando 4 inch .38 spec. Revolver.  This revolver is marked “AOP” this is for the Arkansas Ordnance Plant; there is alsi an example with an identical marking in the Museum at the Springfield Armory.  Definitely Military; not civilian issued.

The Arkansas Ordnance Plant (AOP) was a massive ammunition assembly facility commissioned by the U.S. War Department in June 1941 to support the World War II effort. Located near Jacksonville, Arkansas, the plant specialized in the production of fuses, detonators, boosters, and primers for various military explosives.

Key Facts and Operations

• Production: Workers at AOP manufactured more than 100 different bomb parts, including essential components for artillery munitions and hand grenades.
• Workforce: At its peak, the plant employed over 12,000 people. A significant portion of this workforce consisted of women, often referred to as “production soldiers,” who traveled from nearby Little Rock via dedicated bus and rail shuttles.
• Scale: The facility spanned approximately 6,950 acres and cost an estimated $33 million to construct.
• Housing: Due to the massive influx of workers, the Sunny Side Housing Project was built adjacent to the plant to accommodate employees and their families.