Texas DPS Colt Border Patrol Model .357 Magnum Revolver & Letter, 1972 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2505.05
LSB#: 230530RS001
Make: Colt
Model: Border Patrol
Serial Number: J72542
Year of Manufacture: 1972 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Double Action or Single Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT BORDER PATROL / * .357 MAGNUM CTG * “. The sideplate is marked with a Rampant Colt logo. The yoke cut and yoke are marked “J72542”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked with a Verified Proof and “L”. The right side of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”. The right of the frame has had a marking removed (see Our Assessment).
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade pinned to a serrated, ramped base fixed to the top rib. The rear sight is a square notch leaf adjustable for windage and elevation in a base pinned to the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with silver-colored Colt medallions. The grips show light handling wear, more notable on the right panel than the left. There are som escattered nicks and scratches, most on the bottom or on the right panel. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is some finish wear at the muzzle on each side, around and behind the cylinder flutes. There is some minor surface oxidation, mostly covered by the grips when they are installed. There are some light nicks and scratches, most notable on the right of the frame. The right of the frame has had a marking removed (Texas DPS inventory number, see Our Assessment). The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with minor play on each chamber. The double action trigger is smooth, and the single action is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a brown leather Hunter holster and a Colt Archives letter. The letter indicates that this revolver shipped in its current configuration on January 6, 1972 to the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin, Texas as one of 11 guns of the same type in the shipment. It further states that the number “23582” was assigned to the revolver (removed marking).
Our Assessment: The original “Border Patrol” Colt revolver was essentially an Official Police revolver produced specifically for the Border Patrol in 1952. In the 1970s, it was reintroduced as a ‘Trooper’ variant, made both for the Border Patrol and for the commercial market, though only 5,356 Second Issue Border Patrol pistols were manufactured between 1970 and 1975. Similar to Smith & Wesson’s Models 27 and 28, the Border Patrol’s design is the same as the Trooper, but with less polishing on the exposed surfaces. While the result doesn’t have the same mirror-smooth surface and deep blue color of the Trooper, they are still desirable to Colt collectors for their scarcity.
This example is particularly interesting as it was originally purchased by the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin. The gun has honest wear consistent with its service. The original DPS marking has been removed from the frame, but the included Colt letter indicates that its DPS number was 23582. It will make a great addition to a Colt collection, especially if you’re from the Lone Star State. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
