Went to one of my favorite pawnshops last Friday. The owner is known to pay fairly well for interesting pieces and I've always been impressed with his selection. In the past couple of years I've purchased a pre-war S&W Heavy Duty with a 5" barrel and a Webley Mk VI in .455.
Last Friday was no exception.I wasn't intending to bring anything home, but in the past that's when I've found some of my favorite pieces. I really should know better.
Sitting in the display cabinet (top shelf) was a beautiful Lawman Mk III 2" with the original service grips. Actually the grips have the serial number written on both panels so perhaps it's the original factory installed grips?
Anyway I traded an Model 1914 Erfurt P08 Luger (mfd. 1916) for it. No regrets. The Luger was a nice piece, but I've had a jones for a mid-size .357 magnum snubbie for a few years now and they sure aren't easy to find.At least not in my part of Idaho. It's all four inch and six inch versions. This Lawman Mk III was too good to pass up.
It's serial number is 38XXXL. I've triple checked that serial number and it's my understanding that the serial number dates it to 1979 so if that is correct it was made near the end of the Lawman Mk III 2" production life. According to the guys over on the Colt Forum the 2" Mk III was stopped a couple years before the Mk III line was ended in 1983. It's in excellent shape.
I wish I had a couple more handguns that I was willing to part with. Sitting next to the Mk III in the display case was a 2nd generation Colt Detective Special made in 1956. Also in excellent shape with the original grips. It was a tough call. Well anyway a few photos.
Last Friday was no exception.I wasn't intending to bring anything home, but in the past that's when I've found some of my favorite pieces. I really should know better.
Sitting in the display cabinet (top shelf) was a beautiful Lawman Mk III 2" with the original service grips. Actually the grips have the serial number written on both panels so perhaps it's the original factory installed grips?
Anyway I traded an Model 1914 Erfurt P08 Luger (mfd. 1916) for it. No regrets. The Luger was a nice piece, but I've had a jones for a mid-size .357 magnum snubbie for a few years now and they sure aren't easy to find.At least not in my part of Idaho. It's all four inch and six inch versions. This Lawman Mk III was too good to pass up.
It's serial number is 38XXXL. I've triple checked that serial number and it's my understanding that the serial number dates it to 1979 so if that is correct it was made near the end of the Lawman Mk III 2" production life. According to the guys over on the Colt Forum the 2" Mk III was stopped a couple years before the Mk III line was ended in 1983. It's in excellent shape.
I wish I had a couple more handguns that I was willing to part with. Sitting next to the Mk III in the display case was a 2nd generation Colt Detective Special made in 1956. Also in excellent shape with the original grips. It was a tough call. Well anyway a few photos.