1 of 300 Colt Model Trooper MKIII Immigration Services .357 Mag 4″ Revolver
SOLD FOR: $1500
LSB#: 210604JM02
Make: Colt
Model: Trooper MK III Immigration and Naturalization Special Edition, 1 of 300
Serial Number: 15976U
Year of Manufacture: 1978
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: 6-Shot, Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “INSPECTOR’S SPECIAL / IMMIGRATION SERVICE / INS” in gold banners surrounded by oak leaf clusters and below the gold markings with tiny “COLT HARTFORD, CT”. The right side is marked “DIAMOND JUBILEE / MARCH 3. 1903-1978 / 1 of 300″ in gold banners surrounded by oak leaf clusters and below the gold markings with a very small “TROOPER MKIII .357 MAG”. The crane and cut are marked with the serial number. The side plate has a gold Immigration Inspector badge set on a gold circle with a smaller Rampant Colt set on a gold circle behind it with oak leaf clusters. The front left of the trigger guard bow has the “VP” in triangle proof, the rear is marked “L”.
Barrel Length: 4” heavy barrel with shrouded ejector and solid rib.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramp blade, pinned onto a serrated ramped base on the rib. The rear sight is a flat top, square notched leaf in a base that is adjustable for windage and elevation, pinned to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood target stocks with gold-colored Colt Custgom medallions. The grips have light handling wear, no major defects. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are a few light handling marks. The cylinder has a hardly even noticeable dargline that has not gone through the finish. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: Due to the high overall condition we did not test this revolver but guarantee proper function. 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 a custom display case with a fitted burgundy felt interior. The case has some scattered compressions, dings and scratches. The right side of the base is coming apart. The interior is clean. The case rates in about Very Good condition.
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 .357 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 one is a limited edition made for the Immigration Services 7th Anniversary and has beautiful gold markings on the frame and barrel. It looks like it was added to a collection and stashed away over the decades and is a great addition to a Colt collection with only 300 produced. Please see our photos and good luck!