Colt Trooper

[dsf]

I would ditch the grips. Those are (about) 1973 or later Python grips. Service grips with an adapter or the 1961 to (about) 1973 grips with silver medallion would be correct. Although, the presence of the target hammer may indicate target stocks.

If the screw at the rear of the sideplate is flat it would indicated target stocks. If rounded same as the front it would indicate service stocks. The flat screw head would allow the target stocks to sit flat, rounded looks best if exposed.

I forget what mine came with but I had an extra 1st type grips laying around. They were in lousy shape but I re-checkered & re-finished, didn't want them to sit idle.



The internals of the old model Trooper, 3-5-7 and Python are identical. I'm a little fuzzy on hammer vs frame mounted firing pin on the Trooper and 3-5-7, may have been some holdover from the Officers Model Match which did use a hammer mounted, again, up to a point. The thinner hammer spur shown on the advert above used a hammer mounted firing pin.

 

[peyton]

Thanks for the information, now what is it worth?? My S&W's in my safe are having a fit because the colt is in there!!!!!!!!!
They tolerate the luger because of it's pedigree

 

[AJ]

Thanks for the information, now what is it worth?? My S&W's in my safe are having a fit because the colt is in there!!!!!!!!!
They tolerate the luger because of it's pedigree

Found one that had sold on Gunbroker. It was made in 1954, and sold for $1025.00 on 8/16/24, it had four bids.

 

[Patrick L]

DWalt is correct, you have a "poor man's Python." That gun is Python in everything except the vent barrel. I have one just like it. It's my one pony gun, I got it so that when we talk Colt vs Smith I can speak from experience, not internet wisdom (largely untested and inexperienced.)

Long story short, does the DA stack? Yep. Can I still hit the target at 25 yards DA? Yep. Do them Colts go out of time quicker? I dunno, mine is a 1969 gun, I got it about 4 years ago, still working on proving that one.

 

[DWalt]

There are two Colt “.41” frame designations. The earliest is the E frame, dating from the early 20th century. It was first used on the Army Special, later re-named the Official Police. It used a hammer mounted firing pin.The same frame was used on the Officers Model Match, the Officer's Model Target, and the earliest Pythons and .38 Troopers. Later on the .357 revolver frames were modified to use a frame-mounted firing pin, becoming the I frame. That is the only difference between the E and I frames. The 3-5-7, the Python, and the .357 Trooper used the I frame. Internally, they are the same. The Colt 3-5-7 was the top of the Colt revolver line, but was succeeded by the Python, and the 3-5-7 became the .357 Trooper. The idea was to market the Trooper as a lower priced revolver to law enforcement. Pretty much the relationship between the S&W Models 27 and 28. The same gun, but with different cosmetics and target markets. Regarding my 3-5-7 and my .357 Trooper, I can detect no differences in fit and finish between them, only in their barrel lengths and what is stamped on the barrel. If I could keep only one, it would be the 3-5-7 as it has the longer barrel.

Regarding value of a Trooper, best to look on the gun auction sites like Gun Broker and see what they are selling for. I would guess that a high-condition and original .357 Trooper would sell for at least $1000 today. I would not consider selling mine for any less than that.