1954 Colt model 3-5-7

[daddio202]

I have been on the search for a decent Colt model 3-5-7 now for about 6 years. Many rode miles in holsters but I held out for pretty one. I have a "like new" 1949 police positive special in dual tone nickel, so I wanted a match. Colt only made the dual tone up until 1954, the first year of their new premium model 357. Long barrels suit me well, so it needed to be a 6 inch. Lucky for us, that are in the know, the model 357 is basically a pre-python without the window dressing. With only about 15,000 units made and prices have remained steady at from $750 to $1500 for the past 10 years they seem very under-valued to me.
I finally found #5905, an all original target model on gunbroker for $1K. No box or goodies though. I was very happy at my FFL when I laid eyes on it barely having a turn line. It matches my PPS perfect but in a blue finish. A match, I think, looks pretty good together.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Great catch…you got it for a very fair price. The 3-5-7 has been a secret among Colt aficionados for years but since the Colt snake craze hit the secret got out considering prices have been creeping higher.

My group of Colt 3-5-7 revolvers...

 

[rockquarry]

The 3-5-7 guns have only recently been in demand. Twenty years ago they were easy to find for around $400. I've had two 6" models for a long time. Since they were more accurate than my two 1970s Pythons, I sold the Pythons and kept the 3-5-7s. Great cast bullet shooters.

 

[biku324]

I owned a used one in the late '70s, but it never shot with my M28 or Security Six, so down the road it went. In fairness, I have no clue how much it had been fired, but it locked up tight and had an excellent action.

 

[TheTinMan]

You got an excellent deal IMHO. I paid substantially more for this 4” 1954 Model 3-5-7, although it did come with the box, tools & papers:

I got a 6” version made in 1959 nearly 15 years ago for $750. Not a good investment, but a very nice shooting revolver. Personally I think the 4” very looks a little bit odd/unbalanced.

 

[dsf]

Very nice 3-5-7. And correct grips to match.

A later Trooper -

 

[DWalt]

I bought my first 3-5-7 around 1990-91 for $225, very nice except a previous owner sanded the grips smooth. Actually I prefer them that way, at least for shooting. The .357 Trooper is essentially the same as the .3-5-7.

 

[TheTinMan]

I bought my first 3-5-7 around 1990-91 for $225, very nice except a previous owner sanded the grips smooth. Actually I prefer them that way, at least for shooting. The .357 Trooper is essentially the same as the .3-5-7.

Actually the Trooper is a different action that required less fitting IIRC.

 

[schutz5]

Daddio you paid around $700 for the revolver and the rest for the grips.
That one is in excellent condition!!
Lucky catch!

 

[dsf]

Actually the Trooper is a different action that required less fitting IIRC.

The "Old Model" Trooper is the same action as the 3-5-7 which is the same action as the OMM and original Python. The Trooper MkIII and later version is the action from the 1970s and required less fitting.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Actually the Trooper is a different action that required less fitting IIRC.

[Saw dsf's comprehensive post after responding]

Not quite correct- There are plenty of early Troopers that are essentially the same gun as the 357. Later Troopers were a different action design.

 

[murphydog]

The "Old Model" Trooper is the same action as the 3-5-7 which is the same action as the OMM and original Python. The Trooper MkIII and later version is the action from the 1970s and required less fitting.

Yes, think of the 3-5-7 and Python of that era as the model 27 equivalent, and the Trooper as the model 28, mechanically the same with different finish levels.

 

[PaulDoc]

BEAUTIFUL pick-up! That is a model on my wish list. I have a two tone Trooper .22lr and a two tone Marshal .38, both from 1954 and both are 4". I like you will wait for a nice one. Hard to find as you said, many were carried a lot.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I bought my first 3-5-7 around 1990-91 for $225, very nice except a previous owner sanded the grips smooth. Actually I prefer them that way, at least for shooting. The .357 Trooper is essentially the same as the .3-5-7.

Initially the 3-5-7 was Colt's .357 Magnum deluxe service/target revolver and the Trooper was their .38 Special service/target revolver. Once the Python was released there was little need (and sales showed it) for the 3-5-7 in the product line. The 3-5-7 lingered on in production and as discontinued about 1961 then the Trooper became the .357 Magnum service revolver in the product line.

3-5-7, Trooper and the Python all had the same action. The Pythons at the time were only assembled by Colt's master craftsmen and the actions were honed to a higher degree along with the Royal Blue finish. Any difference in action feel between Trooper and 3-5-7 revolvers is mostly due to the ability of the individual assembly techs.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Actually the Trooper is a different action that required less fitting IIRC.

That's the Trooper Mark III and Lawman Mark III which were introduced in 1969. They did have very different actions...designed for less hand assembly.

 

[mchom]

Here’s a couple