Colt Trooper Hammer Question

[Shrevy]

I just picked up a Colt Trooper Mk III. The serial number dates it to 1970, the second year of production. I already had a Trooper Mk III with a higher serial number. It is above the numbers in Proofhouse.com so would be later than 1978. The two guns have different hammers. The later gun has a wider hammer than the earlier gun. The pins on the right side of the frame are flush on the older gun but are not on the newer one. So, there was obviously some minor changes done over the years. The question is did Colt use different hammers over the life of the Trooper Mk III? Or, do I just have a replacement hammer?

 

[joshk-k]

According to proofhouse.com, 1970 was not by a long shot the second year of production. I looked because I have one dated to 1968, and so you saying that surprised me. I don't have any relevant info to your question, though.

Josh

 

[Shrevy]

The Trooper has been around longer than 1969 (since 1953, if I remember correctly), but the Mk III was first produced in 1969. Hence, 1970 would be the 2nd year of production for the Mk III that I own.

 

[dfariswheel]

There were two hammers for the Mark III series, the wide checkered target hammer, and the narrower, serrated service hammer.

As the deluxe version, the Trooper Mark III usually left the factory with the target hammer, BUT...... on a second year model it's possible Colt installed the service hammer as an option.

 

[Shrevy]

Thanks dfaris. The gun also has the smaller grips, which I have seen referred to as "service" grips. That might make sense that it has a service hammer and service grips.