Colt Border Patrol 2nd Issue 4” .357 mag Single/Double Action Revolver C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,271.00
LSB#: LSB260514GR007
Make: Colt
Model: Border Patrol 2nd Issue
Serial#: J71676
Year of Manufacture: 1970 / C&R (Colt Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber/Gauge: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Single and Double Action Revolver with 6-Shot Swing-Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT BORDER PATROL” / “*357 MAGNUM CTG*”. 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 is marked with a Rampant Colt. The crane and crane cut are marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 4” Full rib
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a fiber optic in a channel pinned to a serrated base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch leaf in a base that is adjustable for windage and elevation. The barrel rib and topstrap have a matte finish for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The refinished grips are two-piece checkered wood with gold Colt medallions. There are scratches and compression marks. The checkering has smoothed over leaving no sharp peaks. The checkering is partially defined. There is a large chip out of the bottom of the left and right panel that has been repaired. There is a crack above the toe of the left panel. The front toes of the panels have been altered to a more round appearance. Overall, the grips rate in about Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 92% of its metal finish. There are scratches and compression dings. There is finish loss at the muzzle and the leading edges of the frame and cylinder. There is thinning along the sides of the barrel and frame. There are directional polish marks on the frame. There is a turn line on the cylinder. The markings remain clear. The screw heads are sharp. The pins are unmarred. The revolver is in Very Good overall condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks with minor play on each chamber. The double action trigger is smooth. The single action is crisp. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, it may need a thorough cleaning to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt Border Patrol was introduced as a law-enforcement-oriented .357 Magnum revolver built on Colt’s robust Mark III action. The second-issue model appeared in 1970 and used the same modern transfer-bar lockwork and coil-spring mechanism found in the Trooper Mark III, offering greater manufacturing efficiency and durability than Colt’s earlier hand-fitted V-spring revolvers. Produced with a 4″ barrel and fixed sights, it was intended as a practical service sidearm for uniformed officers, particularly those working along the United States border. Per Gurney Brown’s reference book “Colt’s Double Action Revolvers – The Post-War Era”, the Border Patrol was uncatalogued in Colt’s offerings. Additionally, there were only 5,356 made in a blue finish. Production was limited compared with Colt’s more widely distributed Trooper and Lawman revolvers, making original Border Patrol examples comparatively scarce and desirable among collectors of Colt law-enforcement handguns and early Mark III-series revolvers.
This 1970 Border Patrol retains approximately 92% of its original blue finish, with scattered scratches, compression marks, muzzle and edge wear, finish thinning, directional polishing marks, and a cylinder turn line. The bright 9/10 bore retains sharp rifling, and the action functions correctly with a smooth double-action pull, crisp single-action release, and only minor play at each chamber. The refinished and repaired stocks remain in Fair condition, while the fiber-optic front sight and adjustable rear sight provide a more visible sighting system than the original service configuration. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY/MA