- The serial number of a gun carries information about its background.Let's explore the secret behind Colt serial numbers now! Outdoor Fact Outdoorfact.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to.
- 1979 Vintage Colt Trooper Mk.III in.22 Magnum w/ 4' Barrel. Scarce Colt Trooper Variation. SOLD GI#: 101624281 This is a very handsome, lightly-used Colt Trooper Mk.III with a 4' barrel chambered in.22 Magnum in excellent condition overall.
GA Description:1958 Colt Python up for grabs. I've wound up with two of the same year and am letting this one go. Aug 25, 2014 The first Python Elite was serial number PN13865 and the last regular production Python Elite was serial PE07104. Colt TROOPER MKIII USED GUN INV 234940 -.22 LR. Colt COLTS 2 SAA 44 SPECIAL 7 1/2 IN BARRELS CONSECUTIVE SERIAL NUMBERS -.44 Special.
When Colt ceased production of their double-action revolvers back in 1999 there was much wailing and gnashing of the teeth amongst the Colt aficionados. It remained possible to get a Colt Python made to special order up until 2005 when all production completely ceased. So in recent years if someone has wanted a Colt double-action they have needed to shop around to find a good used one. So Colt’s recent re-entry into the double action revolver market with their new Colt Cobra is welcome and we hope that goes well for them. But we also observe that the new Colt Cobra is a new design, we don’t know if Colt will be making such classics as the Colt Python again in its original form although there are no doubt many potential buyers out there just itching to burn a Colt Python sized hole in their boringly full wallets.
This Colt Trooper Mk III is an example of the second hand Colt double-action revolvers currently available.
Revolvers on the second hand market are obviously not new and buyers have to be aware of what to look for if purchasing one. The Colt Trooper Mk III in the pictures above is an example that is to be offered at auction by Rock Island Auction on March 23rd, 2017.
You will find the sale page for the above pictured revolver if you click here.
The condition of that revolver is rated by Rock Island Auction as being; “ND – VERY GOOD: in working condition, 80% finish or better.”
The early model Colt Trooper was made in .22lr, .38 Special, and as the “Colt .357” in .357 Magnum. (Picture courtesy [email protected]).
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Colt Trooper Mark I and Colt .357
The Colt Trooper first appeared in 1953 and remained in production until it was replaced by the Mark III version in 1969. This first model Colt Trooper was based on the Colt “I” frame as used for the Officer’s Model Match and offered in .22lr and .38 Special. The Colt .357 version was based on the same “I” frame which would in 1955 be used as the basis for the Colt Python also.
Colt .357 with cylinder open. This revolver was built on the same frame that would be used on the later Colt Python. (Picture courtesy gunauction.com).
Colt Trooper Mark III
In 1969 Colt decided to keep the Colt Python as their premiere model and change the design of the Colt Trooper to make it cheaper to manufacture and sell. This led Colt to design their new “J” frame which did away with the extensive hand fitting and forging that made their revolvers such as the Python more expensive than the competition.
Comparison between the older style “I” frame as used on the Colt Python and pre-1969 Trooper (left), and the Mark III’s “J” frame with stainless steel coil main spring (right). (Picture courtesy smith-wessonforum.com).
The Colt Trooper Mark III essentially became the “working man’s Python”. Colt was able to reduce manufacturing costs by moving to sintered internal parts which could be more easily fitted and heat treated. The new action also did away with the “V” mainspring and replaced it with a stainless steel coil mainspring. These changes largely eliminated expensive hand fitting but still produced a durable revolver of excellent Colt quality.
The Colt Trooper Mark III was a top quality revolver at an affordable price. (Picture courtesy gunsamerica.com).
The Colt Trooper Mark III was the top of the line revolver in the new “J” frame series. It featured a full top rib and shrouded ejector rod. The Trooper Mark III was also the first of Colt’s revolvers to be fitted with a transfer-bar lock-work system which precluded the possibility of the hammer discharging the revolver unless the trigger was pressed. This was of particular interest to law enforcement agencies and a great advantage over the older lock-work system of the previous models.
The Colt Trooper Mark III was fitted with target grips, a wider target hammer, and adjustable sights. It was available finished in the beautiful Colt Royal Blue, bright nickel, or the “Coltguard” satin nickel finish. This model was made from 1969-1982.
Colt Trooper Mark III with target grips and adjustable sights finished in Colt’s impeccable Royal Blue. (Picture courtesy collectorsfirearms.com).
How To Read Colt Serial Numbers: The Start-To-Finish Guide
Colt Trooper Mark V
Colt Trooper Mark V with original box. This one has the Python style ventilated rib. (Picture courtesy collectorsfirearms.com).
The Colt Trooper Mark V was made from 1982-1985 on yet another new frame, the Colt “V” frame, which was slightly smaller than the “J” frame of the Mark III and about the same size as the Smith & Wesson “K” frame. The style of the revolver was kept much the same as the Mark III but with the option to have either the solid top rib of the Mark III or a ventilated top rib as used on the Python. Internal parts were mostly castings which helped to keep costs down again and the trigger system was re-designed and improved to reduce lock-time.
Calling In The Trooper: Legendary Colt Wheel Gun :: Guns.com
Conclusion
The Colt Trooper in its three variants is not as legendary as the Colt Python but they are a great revolver and are slightly less expensive on the second hand market. With Colt’s impeccable Royal Blue or nickel finish these are beautifully made revolvers.
You can find a whole range of Colt Trooper revolvers for sale at Collectors Firearms if you click here.
For collectors you can also find some interesting Mark I Colt .357 revolvers at Guns International.com; a blued one if you click here, and a bright nickel one here.
So if you’ve got a wallet with some boring money in it and would really like to exchange that boringly ordinary cash for a nice interesting revolver then there could be a neat Colt revolver in your future. You just need to make a decision; “The money or the gun?”
Colt Trooper Mk V Serial Numbers Identification
Jon Branch is the founder and senior editor of Revivaler and has written a significant number of articles for various publications including official Buying Guides for eBay, classic car articles for Hagerty, magazine articles for both the Australian Shooters Journal and the Australian Shooter, and he’s a long time contributor to Silodrome.
Colt Trooper Mk V Serial Numbers Chart
Jon has done radio, television, magazine and newspaper interviews on various issues, and has traveled extensively, having lived in Britain, Australia, China and Hong Kong. His travels have taken him to Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan and a number of other countries. He has studied the Japanese sword arts and has a long history of involvement in the shooting sports, which has included authoring submissions to government on various firearms related issues and assisting in the design and establishment of shooting ranges.