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Colt 357

mandolinboy
A FREIND HAS A COLT MARK III,4" BARRELUSED VERY LITTLE,TROOPER SPECIAL.STILLHAS THE ORIGINAL BOX IT CAME IN.MANUFACTURED APPROXIMATELY 1974.ANY IDEA WHAT HE SHOULD ASK FOR ITWOULD BE APPRECIATED.
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9 comments

Date Votes
  • mandolinboy
    I have a Colt model 357 with a serial number that puts it in 1958/59 production. It is parkerized and I was told that these were never factory parkerized. Its in beautiful shape inside and out. I wonder if any of you have an opinion on its finish and also what it may be worth.
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  • Der Gebirgsjager
    Sounds like you have a model that was made 1953-61. Believe it or not, it's important if it had the standard hammer or the wide hammer with target grips in establishing a value; also, we need an overall assessment of condition. Is the gun in 95% of original condition? More? Less? If it's in 95% condition andhas the standard hammer it's worth about $425. If it has the wide hammer and target grips its worth about $450 (in 95% condition). The box and papers are worth about another $50. If you'll give us a better description we can pin it down a little closer.
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  • mandolinboy
    Yes, it has a wide hammer, and is at least 95% The box is a little tattered but it's still there with the papers. The grips come up real high, and are checkered all the way up, are these target grips?
    was this a target special, or a service revolver in it's day? Thank, KP
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  • Der Gebirgsjager
    Well, then--you're looking at a value of about $500. The revolver served both purposes--although outfitted for target shooting it also made a good duty weapon.

    Thought I'd add an edit here and explain that back in the 1950s target practice for police officers usually consisted of shooting at a bullseye target at various distances from the off-hand (one handed) position, and great emphasis was placed on accuracy over speed. Many officers, therefore, opted to buy a revolver like your Colt .357 which would serve the function of both a duty weapon and a target revolver. It was near the end of the '50s and early '60s when the revolutionary concept of two-handed shooting and timed firing exercises began to come into vogue.
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  • mandolinboy
    thanks for all the good info. I also have a gp100 ruger. they tell me this gun will hold up real good. Now the colt we have been discussing from back in the 50's, in your opion, how well were these made and how will they hold up compared to todays weapeon? thanks, KP
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  • Herschel
    I bought a Colt .357 used in 1958. It has the 4" bbl. I carried it while working as a Deputy U. S. Marshal from 1960 until about 1980 when I upgraded to a high capacty double action semi-auto. The .357 has several thousand rounds through it and still shoots well. Worksmanship in your pistol will be much superior to more recently made revolvers.
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  • Herschel
    Mine don't look like that. My gun came with some aftermarket rosewood grips. They are a similar style but the grips just come down to the bottom of the steel frame. This made for better concealment under a suit coat so I never changed them.
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  • RancheroPaul
    The grips on the Python pictured above are what is supposed to be on the Colt 357. Without those "Factory Target Grips" you can deduct about $150 from its value. If you can find a set of these grips, you will pay anywhere from $100 for a used set in good condition and much more for a new Un-Used set!

    These guns were very limited in production because Colt came out with the Python and they didn't want to compete with themselves with another .35 magnum chambered revolver. There was only a little more than 15,000 of them made. The 357 has the same action inside as the Python. The 357 was absorbed in the Colt Trooper line, (Not MK III -- just Trooper), and except for the barrel marking, the Trooper was the exact same gun when equipped with the Target Grips and Wide Hammer, either 6 inch or 4 inch in 357. Originally, the Trooper was only made in a .38 special and .22 LR but they added the .357 when they discontinued making the "Colt 357." The "357" was Colts "top of the line gun" until they came out with the Python.



    I Miss The World I Grew Up In!
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  • Xracer
    As to: "how well were these made and how will they hold up compared to todays weapeon?"

    They were very, very well made....and as to how well they hold up, properly taken care of, your grandchildren can pass it on to their grandchildren.
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