Colt Trooper 3-5-7

[Crowman]

I need help in figuring out what I've got. It is an interesting old Colt revolver, manufactured between 1962 and 1969. It is marked as a Trooper 3-5-7 with what appears to be a satin nickel finish, and a Magna-Ported 4" barrel, has had an action job, and came with an aftermarket underlug that is bolted under the barrel with two socket headed cap screws. It looks like it was set up for PPC competition back in the day. The action is butter smooth and the trigger breaks like broken glass. There is no end shake, and the cylinder locks up tighter than Dick's hatband on all chambers. The cylinder front has prominent radius for ease in reholstering. It is chambered in .357 magnum and has classic Pachmayr Presentation grips. I've never seen any Trooper so configured. It is a pre-Mark III model with Python action and frame mounted firing pin and leaf springs. I tried to up load photos, but got message that the forum blocked pictures. What do I have? Python's daddy? (The 3-5-7 actually was, predates Python, but this one is about ten years newer).

 

[angrymike]

The trooper is a beautiful gun in .357, the are well liked on the market, and worth a good bit of $. Last one I sold was for $500.00 and it wasn't in that great of shape. Beautiful gun...;-)

 

[4v50 Gary]

Original Trooper that has been modified by a gunsmith to include an underlug rib and new front sight and magna-porting.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

IIRC the Colt .357 was introduced in in 1953, the Python in 1956. The Colt Trooper on the same frame was offered in 22 LR and 38 Special. In 1961 the .357 was relabeled The Trooper and was discontinued in 1968 and replaced by the Mark III action. The front sight on yours looks factory.

 

[Crowman]

I knew that the Trooper 3-5-7 was made between 1961 and 1969 (prior to the Mark III). What I've never seen before is one with a satin nickel finish before. Also, this one is MagnaPorted and has a full barrel underlug installed by a gunsmith somewhere along the way. Was wondering if anybody else had seen one done up like this one. The action has definitely been tuned. I thought it might have been built for PPC competition?!?!? any thoughts?

 

[Jim Watson]

I thought it looked like something set up for PPC Service Revolver which requires a 4" barrel, until you got to the Magnaport. NRA does not allow it and I don't think the old PMA would have, either.
Not that a heavy gun needs porting for a steady diet of standard velocity .38 special.

 

[Crowman]

Which leads back to my original question...what do I have?

 

[rcmodel]

A customized & refinished Colt revolver someone with some extra cash thought was a good idea at the time.

rc