Question for the Colt gurus.

[unspellable]

I have a couple of troopers with a rim around the rear of the cylinder. I have a vintage python with a flat rear cylinder. Did the pythons at one time have the rim?

 

[dfariswheel]

No.
Only the Colt Trooper had the "fence" on the rear of the cylinder.
The early Mark III's had counter bored chambers, but Colt changed to the fenced cylinders.

Colt Mark III cylinder fence. This served the same purpose as counterbored chambers, but was easier to make.......

 

[Jeff olson]

Must only be the 357s

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Interesting question Jeff. Do you have a .38 Trooper in your collection? I believe Ive seen exactly one, perhaps 5 years ago. Shoulda bought it.....

 

[Jeff olson]

Interesting question Jeff. Do you have a .38 Trooper in your collection? I believe Ive seen exactly one, perhaps 5 years ago. Shoulda bought it.....

I don't. Only 357, 22lr and 22 mag.

 

[Jeff olson]

The first pic is a 1968 trooper. The next 2 pics are mklll troopers. One 22 lr, one 22 mag. The last 2 are a 4" and a 6" python.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

According to my Google-Fu, only mid and later production MK3 and 5 Colts used the fenced cylinders and both .38s and .357s had them- likely to simplify production.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Older Smith magnums had the recessed chambers as well...were case head separations a thing at one time? Were there balloon head magnum cases?
The recesses do seem like a belt and suspenders thing.
Moon

 

[unspellable]

I've seen a 38 Special python in the flesh. Rare bird. (Err, snake.)