Anybody Ever See One Of These In This Finish?

I picked this up a few months ago and it's apparently a pretty scarce piece.

1982 Colt Trooper MKIII w/ Vented Barrel and in Coltguard (electroless nickel) finish.

Early in the production on the new Colt MKV revolver production some Trooper MKIII complete parts were found except MKIII barrels. Colt decided to but the new MKV vented barrels and roll stamp them MKIII's on a few (total unknown) and send them out the door. Not only does it have the MKV barrel but it's in the Coltguard finish. Kind of double scarce. I don't think this is a "one of" but I haven't seen another 4" like it. Have you? If so where? Thanks

bannockburn said:

Loner757

That's really neat! I had both a Mk.III and a couple of MK.Vs but can't recall seeing a Mk.III with a Mk.V vent rib barrel.
You should see about getting a letter from Colt for it.

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I've checked but unfortunately, according to Colt they will not letter indicating the Vent Rib Barrel. I do have a copy of an older letter from a Colt rep explaining how they came about as described in my opening post. It also mentioned no exact number is known but "not many" were built according to the letter.

I was told the reason a Colt Historical Archive Letter will not be able to note a vented barrel is that the shipping ledger sheet will not specify that particular feature. They were all sent out as MKIII's only showing barrel length, finish, number in the shipment, and where shipped to. The "similarly" wording only applied to what was listed in the shipping ledger.

Searching I've seen some in Blue, Nickel, and one in Coltguard but with a 6" barrel. The only two Google photo's of a 4" in this finish that I've discovered they were both actually the same gun that I have but apparently different owners over time. From one of those photo's I found and spoke with the original owner which he bought it in a Florida Gun Shop and amazingly still had the original sales receipt which he sent me. He said he thought it was unique when he purchased it at the time. Anyway, it's been an interesting hunt. Again, I don't think it's a "one of" but definitely a scarce configuration. Thanks all for the compliments and info.

nofendertom said:

The vent rib barrel on this Trooper looks nicer than the one on the Python---How does it shoot ?

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Thanks, I've got other 357 Mags. to shoot so probably as long I have it it'll take a rest.