Identity and Date of Manufacture of Colt Revolvers

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My Father in law passed away about a year ago. He had this in his garage. Seems like it’s in good condition. 472971 is engraved on both sides. Trying to see if it’s anything special and how old it is. Don’t know where he got it. Any help would be appreciated. Went to proofhouse and they didn’t have an exact match. Thanks!
 
I don't know what you mean by
472971 is engraved on both sides
Unlike Smith & Wesson, the number on the frame below the barrel and under the cylinder yoke is the true serial number.

Look there and see what you get. Also show a close clear picture of the number on "both sides".

472971 comes up as a 1922 Army Special which is the same basic gun, they just changed the name to Official Police to agree better with its main market, the Army was not buying any .38 revolvers between the World Wars.

I can only assume that either 472971 "on both sides" is not the serial number or that the barrel was replaced with the later style. The Army Special became the Official Police around 1926 but the Heavy Barrel did not come out until the 1930s.
 
Thanks a million for that. Does this sound like an unusual or valuable gun? I didn’t see the numbers myself. I didn’t think about getting the numbers until after I left and so I texted my wife’s brother and he looked for me. I’ll try and get more better info.
 
Unusual? No, the Army Special/Official Police was a common police weapon for a long time. Colt used to be fully competitive with Smith & Wesson.
Valuable? Sort of, it looks in nice condition with unchipped hard rubber grips. Hundreds of bucks, not thousands.
 
I've got an interesting one on layaway. A Colt 3-5-7, 4" barrel, with a four digit S/N, (34XX). Can anyone confirm the date? If I read Proofhouse right, and for me, it's easy to get confused, it would be 1954?

Lousy pictures snapped in store.

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Colt357a_zpstrdhetps.jpg
 
A friend of mine has a lightly used Colt revolver (less than 1,000 rounds - mix of .38 Spl and .357 Mag). Need a DOB and possibly an approximate value.
Colt Trooper Mk III
Adjustable sights
.357 Magnum
6 inch barrel
Serial number 656**L
4767.jpeg 4768.jpeg 4769.jpeg
 
As the thread suggests, I'm looking for help identifying a Colt in order to order replacement grips for a friend of mine.

A search of Colt database returns the most likely candidate of a 1965 Colt Trooper. But, correct me if I'm wrong those were issued in. 357? This pistol is currently configured in .38spl.

Identifying marks

Smooth exposed backstrap

2" Colt Detective SPL barrel

"J" etched in frame (visible under broken grip)

Serial 43***R
T.

Triangle with VP inside it (located forward upper left side of trigger guard)

So, should I put stock in the j etching and buy a J frame grip, or should I expect it to be the E&I style (that I believe was being manufactured in 1965) . Im very new to Colt pistols so please correct anything I've gotten wrong so far. Thanks for the assistance
 

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As the thread suggests, I'm looking for help identifying a Colt in order to order replacement grips for a friend of mine.

A search of Colt database returns the most likely candidate of a 1965 Colt Trooper. But, correct me if I'm wrong those were issued in. 357? This pistol is currently configured in .38spl.

Identifying marks

Smooth exposed backstrap

2" Colt Detective SPL barrel

"J" etched in frame (visible under broken grip)

Serial 43***R
T.

Triangle with VP inside it (located forward upper left side of trigger guard)

So, should I put stock in the j etching and buy a J frame grip, or should I expect it to be the E&I style (that I believe was being manufactured in 1965) . Im very new to Colt pistols so please correct anything I've gotten wrong so far. Thanks for the assistance
The "J" is the Inspectors mark. That is a 4th Model Detective Special built on the "D" frame.
Here is some more info on your pistol:
http://www.coltfever.com/Detective_Special.html

Trooper/ Python and Ofc.Police/Army Spl. grips will not fit, but late production Detective Special, Police Positive, and Diamondback grips will.
 
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A friend of mine has a lightly used Colt revolver (less than 1,000 rounds - mix of .38 Spl and .357 Mag). Need a DOB and possibly an approximate value.
Colt Trooper Mk III
Adjustable sights
.357 Magnum
6 inch barrel
Serial number 656**L
View attachment 864594 View attachment 864595 View attachment 864596
Looks like 1980. Around here, I would expect to see a 6" Trooper Mk3 in excellent condition with $700 on the tag. A bit more in nickel finish or with the original box, much less in rough condition.
 
The "J" is the Inspectors mark. That is a 4th Model Detective Special built on the "D" frame.
Here is some more info on your pistol:
http://www.coltfever.com/Detective_Special.html

Thanks! So is the Colt free database just that unreliable? It only returns results when I use the numbers without letters. And the newest results are two different models in 1965, the majority of the rest are 1920 or older.

Trooper/ Python and Ofc.Police/Army Spl. grips will not fit, but late production Detective Special, Police Positive, and Diamondback grips will.
 
Thanks! So is the Colt free database just that unreliable? It only returns results when I use the numbers without letters. And the newest results are two different models in 1965, the majority of the rest are 1920 or older.
 
Looks like 1980. Around here, I would expect to see a 6" Trooper Mk3 in excellent condition with $700 on the tag. A bit more in nickel finish or with the original box, much less in rough condition.

Thank you, so much! This board is a treasure trove of knowledge. I'm more of a S&W guy, so I really appreciate the help.
 
Colt Police Positive Special
32 Colt N.P. CTG stamped on barrel

Checkered wood grips w/medallion
5" ish barrel
6 shot
Serated top strap with gutter sight

Serial 9566xx

Colt's serial lookup says it could be 1964 or 1967. Same description on both. Any clue?
 
Colt Police Positive Special
32 Colt N.P. CTG stamped on barrel

Checkered wood grips w/medallion
5" ish barrel
6 shot
Serated top strap with gutter sight

Serial 9566xx

Colt's serial lookup says it could be 1964 or 1967. Same description on both. Any clue?
Are you sure its a Special? AFAIK, the Specials were only chambered in .32-20 and .38 Special.

Edit: Well, Colt Fever confirms that they were available in .32 NP-
http://www.coltfever.com/Police_Positive_Special.html
 
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