Colt trooper mark 111

[gutterman]

I'm looking for opinions on the collectibility now and in the future of the Colt Trooper Mark 3 models. Some feel that the increased values of the Pythons and Diamondbacks will (if they already haven't) influence the values of the Troopers, making them more collectible. You can still find some nice troopers out there for reasonable prices, but if the above is true, the prices won't stay down for long. What do you all think?

 

[Ash]

I have one, used to have several. Prices have been on the incline.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Any Colt DA is gonna appreciate in value and likely do it at a better rate than some other makes of revolvers due to them no longer being made....A MK III is already selling for 2-3 times what they cost new....Sure, a money man is gonna tell you at there are better places to invest. However, there are few "toys" you can spend you money on that are worth more than you paid for them later on. Colt revolvers are one of the few, though.

There are still some jewels out there...Like this unfired nickel 6" I bought for less than the cost of a new Ruger GP 100...Which would you rather have? I'll take the Colt anyday.

 

[sarge83]

Passed on the 6 inch barrel version recently at the local shop $449 OTD. Didn't lock up tight and had some dings.

I have the 4 inch version and she is a gem. Paid $225 for it in the 90's.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

A MKIII isn't gonna lock up tight like a Python.

 

[280shooter]

I had one in 22,,, i sure wish I still had it..

 

[CajunBass]

It's not a Trooper, but a MK III, Official Police (38). Got it for less than the cost of a new Taurus. No question which I'd rather have.



Yea, some Colt purists will tell you it's not a "real" Official Police because it's got a different lockwork. Maybe so, but the targets don't seem to mind.

 

[Prosser]

I had one in 22,,, i sure wish I still had it..

+10

 

[welldoya]

Well, I've got one in .22 with a 6" barrel. Paid $160 for it used in the mid to late 90s. Over the years I've often thought "Why am I keeping this insanely heavy, bulky .22 revolver ? I should sell it." Looking back, I'm glad I didn't listen to me.

 

[BullfrogKen]

I picked this out at a gun show last summer. I went to get components, and I walked away with this.

They are big, heavy .22s. But man is it ever nice.

 

[22-rimfire]

The Trooper Mark III is one of the lower priced Colt 357/22LR/22WMR revolvers. The 22's are certainly collectable now and the price has been climbing for the last five years along with S&W Model 17's and M18's. If you are truly interested in collecting the Mark III, I would suggest you do some research on what years particular models or variations were cataloged and go from there. That will be your only guide on commonality other than your experience and what others will share.

The 357 versions will be the least collectable. The 22 and 22WMR versions are the more collectable at this time as they had a short production period. My impression is that production of the 22LR's were pretty prolific during the short production time period. Nickel and E-nickel are always good choices.

 

[sarge83]

No, this one was loose, even for a MKIII. It had lived a rough life.

 

[pendennis]

Here's one I picked up for $300 just over two years ago:

 

[jimniowa]

I have that same gun that I bought over 30 years ago and looks as good as your pic. It is a bedside firearm now, but a great carry in the field gun before.
Jim

 

[Walkalong]

Great guns. I have no clue what the price will do, short of going up, unless things really get bad.

 

[OldCavSoldier]

I just paid $300 for a never-fired 4-inch Trooper Mk III that had spent its entire life in a holster in a bedside table. Some very minor surface rust and pitting on the points where it was in contact with the holster. Lock-up is tighter than tight, action is smoother than smooth, internals are like they came from the factory (including rifling) and it shoots far better than I can. I'm thinking about sending it to Colt for re-finishing sometime down the road, but for now, I'm enjoying taking it to the range and field.