Circa 1970 a friend bought a Colt, think it was a Diamondback. Compared to his S&W the trigger felt rough to me. What did I know at 18? Maybe just a bad one but it formed my first opinion of Colts.
Anyhow, the first revolver I purchased was a Smith Model 15 in 1975, that started my appreciation for the brand.
Fast forward to 2017, in retirement I started working for a small gun shop that the owner had a thing for Colts. Police Positives, Troopers, Pythons, I started to get an appreciation for the Pony.
He took in a Trooper in .357 that I took a liking to, about a year before he had another one that I vowed if I didn't sell it that day it was going to be mine, guess what sold that day. I decided not to let another one slip through my hands but when I asked for a price he said "It's going in my collection" which I respected.
Last winter his health while not the best before suddenly took a turn for the worse. Last full day in the shop before Christmas he told me to bring out that Trooper and to grab a 4473 and the Trigger Lock and Pistol Registration form our state requires. As there were a couple people in the shop I asked "Who's buying it?"
He said "Get your license and CPL card, it's yours!" He said it was my Christmas gift.
He passed about two months later. I think it was also a "remember me" gift.