Vintage Colt Trooper MKIII .357 Mag Double Action Revolver & Box, C&R 1970
SOLD FOR: $1030
WOA#: WY230512DK014
Make: Colt
Model: Trooper MK III
Serial Number: J18548
Year of Manufacture: 1970 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: 6-Shot, Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “TROOPER MK III / * .357 MAGNUM CTG. *”, the right is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” The crane and cut are marked with the serial number. The left side plate has a Rampant Colt logo. The left trigger guard bows are marked “B” and “VP”.
Barrel Length: 6”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramp blade, pinned onto a base on the rib. The rear sight is a flat top, a square notched leaf in a base that is adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered wood with Colt logo medallions. The grips are free of notable marks or damage. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Factory Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. The cylinder has a dragline. There are no scratches to the finish worth noting, nor is there any muzzle wear. There are some rings on the front of the chambers. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is the revolver’s serialized factory cardboard outer sleeve box, showing some roughing at the edges from storage. Included is a serialized Colt Testing Target Sheet, Owner’s manual, and additional paperwork as photo’d.
Our Assessment: Frequently referred to as the “working-man’s Python”, the Trooper MK III was introduced in 1969 after some modifications to make the revolver less expensive to manufacture including the use of sintered parts, which were easier to fit and heat-treat, the use of a coil mainspring, which again didn’t need as much hand-tuning and was cheaper to produce than the v-leaf spring used in the Python, and their new transfer-bar safety system, which prevented the ignition of a round without the trigger being depressed.
This put a Colt-quality mid-frame revolver in the price range that the working man could afford as well as being more attractive to law enforcement agencies due to the new safety feature. The Trooper was the premier model in the MK III line with a shrouded ejector, full length rib and heavy barrel.
This example is chambered for .357 Magnum with a 6″ barrel, which would make it a great revolver for duty, defense, or as a sidearm while hunting. Given the box and condition, this one will make a perfect addition to any collection.