4" Colt Trooper (.38 Spl).

Checkman · Nov 27, 2011

Well I picked up a Colt Trooper 4" (.38 Special Heavy Barrel) yesterday. I was looking for either a . 38 Special Trooper, Official Police or a pre-1972 Detective Special. I found this Trooper. I haggeled with the owner a little bit and he dropped the price to $375.00. It helped that I could pay in cash. I went in with my Surefire flashlight and a jeweler loop. I had him take the grips off and checked it as completely as I could. The previous owner (or owners) had taken very good care of it. The serial number gives it a DOB sometime in 1960.

According to the store owner it is one of several revolvers that he is selling for a widow. Her husband passed away a few months ago. She had given him some leeway in the prices. Evidently her late husband knew how to take care of his firearms. I've been wanting a clean little Trooper for awhile so this wasn't an impulse buy. I spent Saturday shopping and I found one worn out OP and two Post-1972 Detective Specials for sale (I already own a post-72 DS).

The Trooper was at the end of the day and a pleasent surprise. It had what I believe are Herrett grips on it. I think they're Herretts, but I couldn't find any identifying marks. I took them off and put them on my OM Target. They just seem to fit better on the OM. I then installed the duty grips that were on the OM onto the Trooper. They also just "look" right on the Trooper in my opinion.

I've gotten into buying the older 38 revolvers - both S&W and Colt. Not as many people want them, I tend to find examples that are in better shape and the prices are usually lower than they are on the .357 magnums.

Anyway a couple photos. Of the Trooper and laying next to the Officer Model.

Hope my Smiths don't get angry with me.

I now own
Detective Special (post-72)
Lawman MK III snubbie
.38 Special Trooper - 4"
Officer Model Target - 6"

PH-2 · Nov 27, 2011

Checkman,

I'll bet you will enjoy shooting that old Trooper, the action on mine is like "buddah".

Mike

mkk41 · Nov 27, 2011

Sweet! I have a first year .357. Ser.no. 8xx.

I truly believe that the Colts and S&Ws from the 50s-60s are the high water mark for American revolvers.

feralmerril · Nov 27, 2011

I bought a 4" .357 trooper around 1970 for $108s and carried it on my job for years. Shot this small buck with it. I still own two troopers. This blue one and a .38 special nickle. I bought the nickle one from our allen frame that posts here a couple years ago. On the blue .22 I had the hammer built up to match my .357 I had at the time. They are just about my favorite packing guns. I stupidly sold my .357 when I replaced it with a python that has the same guts, just a different barrel.

PH-2 · Nov 27, 2011

Feral,

Nice Case Stag Folding Hunter, too!

Mike

Art Doc · Nov 27, 2011

Troopers used to be sleepers in used guns. But like all Colts they are now in the stratosphere price-wise.

I got these 357s about a year apart for $210 and $375. The better one also had the early target stock on it making it a very good deal since these will sell for $300+ by themselves. I added the stocks to the cheaper one.

feralmerril · Nov 27, 2011

PH-2, Here is another case, I think centennial model I have. I once found another old one by a deer gut pile. I still have that one but I made the mistake of lending it to a kid who was going camping. He broke the stag handle throwing it! I wonder if someone can restore it and put on another stag grip?

PH-2 · Nov 27, 2011

feral

I'll bet you Patrick Grashorn could make it whole.

My most recent ex-wife took umbrage at the joy I had in collecting old Case knives, I had many double "X'es", even a few old "Circle C's".
In a misguided effort to please a woman who could not be pleased, I sold them off. With the profit, she bought furniture we didn't need. Apparently we didn't need an appreciating collection of fine American knives more!

I hate the old me!

Mike

Checkman · Nov 27, 2011

SaxonPig said:
Troopers used to be sleepers in used guns. But like all Colts they are now in the stratosphere price-wise.

I got these 357s about a year apart for $210 and $375. The better one also had the early target stock on it making it a very good deal since these will sell for $300+ by themselves. I added the stocks to the cheaper one.

And the crazy thing is compared to other Colt DA revolver models the Troopers are still a pretty good bargain. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep buying Colt revolvers. The prices are almost always between $50 - $100 higher than second hand Smiths. Compared to second hand Rugers the price difference seems to average between $150 - $200 dollars higher. I also like Smith & Wesson revolvers and the Ruger Six series isn't to bad either.

Oh well I'm happy with the Trooper and Officer Model as well as the others.

Checkman · Nov 27, 2011

feralmerril said:
I bought a 4" .357 trooper around 1970 for $108s and carried it on my job for years. Shot this small buck with it. I still own two troopers. This blue one and a .38 special nickle. I bought the nickle one from our allen frame that posts here a couple years ago. On the blue .22 I had the hammer built up to match my .357 I had at the time. They are just about my favorite packing guns. I stupidly sold my .357 when I replaced it with a python that has the same guts, just a different barrel.

I've meant to tell you in the past that i like your old hunting photos. That is one beautiful nickle plated Trooper you have there as well.

Snapping Twig · Nov 27, 2011

Just happen to have an early model myself.

Revolver M65 · Nov 27, 2011

Here is mine

My father got this from a cop buddy who left the force

18DAI · Nov 28, 2011

Very nice Trooper! Congrats!

The Colt Trooper was my fathers duty gun for 27 years on the Nassau County Police department. He is very ill these days and has given it to my younger brother.

He gave me his off duty Cobra and a Nassau County commerorative 4" 66-2 in a wooden presentation case. Regards 18DAI

glenncal1 · Nov 28, 2011

I have a few pony revolvers, these two officers models are both from late 30's the .22

is in really nice shape and is a great shooter. The .38 (I have some proper wood grips for it)

is not quite as nice but is still a great shooter. The next one to purchase is an Officer's Model Target in .32. These are as scarce and expensive as the K-32

Checkman · Nov 28, 2011

The next one to purchase is an Officer's Model Target in .32. These are as scarce and expensive as the K-32

Hey give me a day or two. In the past week I've doubled the number of Colt revolvers that I own. I have to pace myself.

Checkman · Dec 7, 2011

A couple better pictures.

skeezix · Dec 8, 2011

mkk41 said:
Sweet! I have a first year .357. Ser.no. 8xx.

I truly believe that the Colts and S&Ws from the 50s-60s are the high water mark for American revolvers.

My "Colt .357" is also a first year gun - s/n 74.

Update: Since this original post, I also acquired this 1966 Trooper .357. It looks to be unfired.

cwo4uscgret · Dec 8, 2011

my newest revolver...

Although it isn't a very well lit photo (didn't have the light tent set up) this Trooper .357 heavy barrel is from 1964 and other then some wear at the muzzle and a very small spot on the left grip I am quite pleased with how it looks.

I bought this Trooper and a S&W Performance Center/Lew Horton 25-12 (1917) that came with 5 different sets of grips for a total of $1250. Alone, the seller wanted $900 just for the Smith.

I posted pictures of the Model 25 on the "Modern" S&W Revolvers 1980 to present...

Checkman · Dec 8, 2011

Those are some good looking Troopers.

cwo4uscgret · Dec 8, 2011

Since we're talking "Old Colts" here's my oldest; a US Army Model 1901. Unfortunately its been re-blued somewhere along its way:

There are 3 more digits to the serial number; when I originally posted the photo of the gun's s/n I was concerned about showing the complete s/n...

4" Colt Trooper (.38 Spl).

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