COLT Trooper Mark III MKIII .22 LR DA/SA Double Action Revolver, MFD 1980
SOLD FOR: $1412
LSB#: 210819HE10
Make: Colt
Model: Trooper MK III
Serial Number: Y19725
Year of Manufacture: 1980 (COLT Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: 6-Shot DA/SA Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “TROOPER MARK III / ? .22 LONG RIFLE ?”. The right side of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A.”. The left side of the frame to the rear of the cylinder is marked with the rampant colt. The crane and crane arm are marked with the serial number, “Y19725”. The forward left side trigger guard bow is marked with “VP” in an inverted triangle, and the rear is marked “O”.
Barrel Length: 6” heavy barrel with solid rib and shrouded ejector rod.
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade pinned to a serrated base integral to the barrel 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. The tops of the barrel rib and topstrap are matte for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece walnut panels with smooth uppers and checkered lowers. Each panel features an inset rampant colt medallion that straddles the border between smooth and checkered areas. There are minor handling marks, but otherwise the gripa are free of notable wear or damage. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is sharp. Overall, the grips rate in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued Steel with a Case Color Hammer
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but minor stubborn fouling is present in a few spots.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. On either side of the frame there are scattered minor nicks. The right side of the barrel has a few minor nicks not through the finish. The cylinder has a faint turn line not through the finish. Screws have minor tool marks with strong slots, and pins are not peened. All markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has some light play with the trigger depressed. The double action trigger pull is smooth, single action is quite light. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This revolver includes its original serial-matching wood print outer box and styrofoam insert along with assorted factory paperwork including the manual.
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. This included 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 a price range that the working man could afford and made the revolver 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 rates in Fine-plus condition, chambered in .22 Long Rifle with a 6” barrel and blued finish. These features make this quite the desirable revolver for serious Colt collectors. With its adjustable sights and storied Colt quality, this revolver ought to turn a few heads at the range. Good luck and happy bidding!