Colt Trooper MK III .357 Magnum 4″ Double Action Revolver MFD 1975 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,225.00
LSB#: LSB260630RH010
Make: Colt
Model: Trooper MK III
Serial Number: 66898J
Year of Manufacture: 1975 / C&R
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Double and Single Action Revolver with Swing-Out Six-Shot Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “TROOPER MK III” over “.357 MAGNUM CTG.” The right side bears Colt’s Hartford, Connecticut address. The left side of the frame has the Rampant Colt. The frame’s crane recess is marked “66898J”. Each grip panel has a silver-colored Colt medallion.
Barrel Length: 4″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramp blade pinned into the solid barrel rib. The rear sight is a square-notch sight adjustable for windage and elevation, mounted to the topstrap.
Grip Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood target stocks with smooth upper portions and Colt medallions. There are light handling marks and minor wear along the lower edges. The checkering remains well defined, and there is no major damage. The grips are in Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, just a little stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 95% of its original metal finish. There is wear on the inside of the frame below the barrel and light handling wear in the backstrap serrations. There are light scattered handling marks, minor edge wear, and a light turn line on the cylinder. The markings are clear, and the screw slots have minor tool marks. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly.
We did not fire this revolver.
As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Mark III designation marks an important change in how Colt built its revolvers. Introduced in 1969, the new family emerged from Colt’s work with firearms designer Karl Lewis to create a strong, simpler mechanism that could be produced at a more competitive cost. Coil springs replaced the older spring arrangement, and a transfer bar connected the hammer’s blow to the frame-mounted firing pin during the trigger stroke. The redesign supplied a common foundation for several models, including the Trooper, Lawman, and Official Police. Colt’s launch advertising drew attention to the new connector system, stainless-steel springs, and specially treated working parts. The company was asking buyers to recognize engineering improvements inside the revolver, alongside the familiar finish and handling qualities associated with its name.
Made in 1975, this Trooper shows how Colt paired that new mechanism with the features of an adjustable-sight sporting revolver. Its broad checkered hammer spur and substantial target stocks provide generous contact surfaces, while the rear sight allows the sight picture to be adjusted instead of leaving the shooter with a fixed factory setting. The four-inch barrel keeps those features in a relatively compact package, and the shroud protects the ejector rod beneath it. Colt’s original Mark III advertising offered a range of hammer, trigger, and stock choices, reflecting the different needs the new family was intended to meet. This example makes the distinction especially clear: Trooper remained a familiar name, but the MK III marking identifies Colt’s move toward a new generation of revolver mechanisms, one that would underpin later developments in its double-action line.