An unlikely find

PaulDoc

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Was very fortunate to be able to bring this Colt Marshal home being that only 2000 were manufactured in the 4". It's not as rare as the 2" version only 500 of those were made. Making 2500 in all. This 4" version functions as it should and is in pretty darn good condition for a gun made in 1954. It is finished in Colt's duel tone. Thanks for looking.
 

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Was very fortunate to be able to bring this Colt Marshal home being that only 2000 were manufactured in the 4". It's not as rare as the 2" version only 500 of those were made. Making 2500 in all. This 4" version functions as it should and is in pretty darn good condition for a gun made in 1954. It is finished in Colt's duel tone. Thanks for looking.

Nice piece, congrats!!
 
The earlier Colt 3-5-7 revolvers (immediate predecessor of the Python) also had the “dual-tone” finish. But I have not personally seen one of those so I am not sure exactly what it looks like, other than I know the cylinder flutes are matte. Looking it up, it seems that the grip strap, trigger guard, and cylinder flutes have the matte finish, balance bright blue, and is seen on other Colt revolvers made from 1947-54. It was a cost-cutting measure to reduce polishing time and labor.
 
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The earlier Colt 3-5-7 revolvers (immediate predecessor of the Python) also had the “dual-tone” finish. But I have not personally seen one of those so I am not sure exactly what it looks like, other than I know the cylinder flutes are matte. Looking it up, it seems that the grip strap, trigger guard, and cylinder flutes have the matte finish, balance bright blue, and is seen on other Colt revolvers made from 1947-54. It was a cost-cutting measure to reduce polishing time and labor.

I'm not a collector and don't know which revolvers had the partial matte finish, but the '54 Trooper .22 had it; probably the .38 Special version as well. It may have been to reduce labor costs, but I like the look.
 
The earlier Colt 3-5-7 revolvers (immediate predecessor of the Python) also had the “dual-tone” finish. But I have not personally seen one of those so I am not sure exactly what it looks like, other than I know the cylinder flutes are matte. Looking it up, it seems that the grip strap, trigger guard, and cylinder flutes have the matte finish, balance bright blue, and is seen on other Colt revolvers made from 1947-54. It was a cost-cutting measure to reduce polishing time and labor.
My 1956 Colt 3-5-7 has the dual tone finish and a super smooth action. Sorry about the poor pic quality.
 

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"Dual Tone" was the name given to the matte finish on the top strap, frame edges and cylinder flutes. It generally ended in 1955.

I do not believe the "Dual Tone" finish was to save money. It was an enhancement for the sight picture and a style feature for the rest of the gun. "Dual Tone" finish adds value to the Colts that have it.
 

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