Colt 357 revolver. New acquisition.

[Checkman]

I picked this Colt 357 up today at an estate auction. I won the bid at $390 and after I finished paying the taxes and buyer's premium I paid out $450. No complaint there. It's clean and in good shape. The serial number is just four digits (# 2***). According to the Colt Proof House website it was made in 1953. The year that the model was introduced. Unfortunately the wooden target grips didn't come with it, but that just gives me something to look for. I've wanted a Colt 357 or a Colt Trooper in 357 for several years. Ideally I wanted the 6" barrel so this was a lucky find for me.

 

[gman51]

You practically stole that Colt 357 at that price. It looks to be in very good condition.
That long barrel could make it a tack driver. I have a 6" Colt Trooper MK V and it is very accurate. I didn't get mine anywhere near a stole it price.

 

[Checkman]

You practically stole that Colt 357 at that price. It looks to be in very good condition.
That long barrel could make it a tack driver. I have a 6" Colt Trooper MK V and it is very accurate. I didn't get mine anywhere near a stole it price.

I was prepared for some pretty heavy bidding. My pain threshold was $700, but after a brief flurry of bidding it went cold. I couldn't believe my luck.

 

[Skyhunter]

You did well!
I have Colt Trooper Mark III - my very 1st .357 mag and it's very accurate. You will enjoy that revolver!

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[schutz5]

Very nice revolver at a killer price!
I think the 6 inch models were fewer than the 4 inch.
That is basically a $1100 revolver if in v good condition. And first year production to boot!
Have fun with it.

 

[Fishinfool]

Very nice Colt at a great price. Basically, a Python, without the rib or high polish.

Larry

 

[CCantu357]

That is a beautiful three five seven. Even those classic Pachmayr grips look great!

 

[sodacan]

Nice gun at a great price. The 357 is a nicer gun than the Trooper, having internals that are the same as a Python. I recently purchased a very high condition 4" model with target stocks. Nice shooter. Enjoy it.

 

[glenncal1]

Put that gun on gunbroker and you can double or triple our $$. All Colts seem to be $$$. I just sold a Commander .38super and it went for over 2 grand.

 

[824tsv]

Colt 357 Model

I have a 4" from 1954. Very nice revolvers. Good luck in your quest to find target stocks for it. They will likely be very expensive.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I recently bought a Colt Old Model Trooper 4" barrel . It has the same frame size and internals as a python , I paid less than $500 . It was made in 67 . The lockup and timing is " spot on " . It was in excellent shape . I noticed though that my grips came with the gold medallions instead of silver . I have really enjoyed it as I had been looking for one for quite a few yrs ( that I could afford ) . Regards, Paul

 

[Checkman]

Some great looking revolvers there.

 

[silentflyer]

450$? Where you holding the gun on someone while bidding?
What a deal!

 

[RobertJ.]

Next best thing to a Python!

Nice score!

 

[Checkman]

450$? Where you holding the gun on someone while bidding?
What a deal!

I know I can't believe it either. I was prepared to go as high as $700 and I actually figured it wouldn't be enough. I've had a real good run the last few months getting some nice pieces at estate auctions. I figured my run was going to come to an end with the Colt. All I can think of is that a lot of people just don't understand that the 357 is a real nice model. Everybody is focused on the snake models I suppose.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I'm jealous!!!

 

[Gardner11]

That was a very good buy , at a gun show last year I bought a 357 that had been re finished , poorly , for $ 500.00 after much dickering . Collector value none but the action was so good I just had to have it . It is a great shooter . Wait a minute that is what they are designed for .

 

[tenntex32]

I wouldn't mind having a couple of Colt Troopers to go with my S&W Highway Patrolman examples. (Strictly due to the name thing.)

I don't mind the so-called "lesser grade" .357 examples.

Nice score on your Colt 357 model.

Dale

 

[MCorps0311]

I'd say you got the better end of it. Congrats.

 

[boykinlp]

Here are a few things to look for on your gun. I believe on the first year guns the flutes of the cylinder are matte finished and the rest of the cylinder is more bright finished. This is called dual tone finish. Also, the muzzle of the barrel is "in the white" on the first year guns.

I also thought 1954 was considered the first year for them. Your gun should have the full checkered grips with the silver medallion. They will cost $300-350 for a good pair. The exact same grips with gold medallions are for the early Pythons.

This is from memory, which isn't so good these days, so some things may be incorrect.
Larry