Older Trooper .22 serial numbers?

[slick6]

I have found an older Colt Trooper .22(4-inch barrel)and this .22 is NIB and it has a serial number of #770xx? The problem is that this trooper has the first design fully checkered grips(Like on the very first Colt Pythons)and, the original outer shipping carton shipped from Colt's, has a legible postage sticker on it, that shows the shipping date to have been in 1959! However, the Proofhouse serial numbers don't jive with this Trooper .22 being made in the 1950's? My question here is, when was this revolver made based upon it's serial number? And lastly, were the serial number ranges different for these fairly rare early Trooper .22's? Note: This is NOT an Trooper Mark III .22!!! Please help me solve this riddle? Thanks!

 

[dfariswheel]

770xx was made in 1959.
The numbers that year started at 76500, and ended at 78099.

For some reason, Colt numbered the .22LR Trooper's with the Officer's Model Match.

This makes at least SOME sense, since the Trooper .38 and .22's were really nothing more than the Officer's Model Match with a different barrel.

For whatever reason, it looks like Colt ran the .38 and later .357 Magnum Troopers in the separate Trooper range, and the .22's in the OMM range.

I have a 1954 Trooper .22 and I used to have one made in 1958, BOTH of which have OMM range serial numbers.

I had a 1961 Trooper .38 and a 1967 .38 and BOTH were in the Trooper range numbers.

I've never been able to check a later 1960's .22 Trooper, so I don't know if Colt continued to number them with the OMM or put them with the Trooper.
I'm betting they kept them with the OMM.

Colt did weird things.

I once heard that Colt only made about 2200 of the Trooper's in .22LR so these are fairly rare, especially with factory original Target grips.

Does yours also have the Target hammer?

These days the early fully checkered Target grips are selling for $125 to $200 on Ebay.

In any event your Trooper .22 is definitely a keeper, and these make excellent shooters.

 

[22-rimfire]

No riddle. YourTrooper dates out according to Wilson as 1959. Note the original Trooper serial numbers are included as part of the Officers Model serial number ranges.

 

[slick6]

dfariswheel:

1)Thanks, as you have made me a very happy guy! I was worried when I couldn't make sense of the serial number on this old Trooper .22! Although I would have liked for this gun to have been even earlier than 1959, I can't complain because this gun truly is in mint NIB condition(And the box is in the same perfect condition!)! It has the test target and a package with the original(Unused)cleaning tools and a Colt screwdriver inside!

2)Yes, this Trooper .22 has the first design fully checkered target grips(Just like the early Pythons)and the target hammer! Even the box has a little sticker on it that indicates this! I don't mean to brag-but this Trooper .22 is a "Dream" Trooper, because it's condition will floor you! It's unbelieveable! Theres not even a trace of a turn ring on the cylinder! I'm so proud of this revolver(Even though it's not a Python)!

.22-rimfire: Thank you also, for following up with your confirming input here!

 

[dfariswheel]

A Trooper in .22 WITH the Target hammer and grips, and in new condition with the box and all contents is going to have collector's interest due to the rarity.

 

[Majic]

All this talk of an exceptional Colt demands a picture or two.

 

[slick6]

Majic:

I guarantee that I will be able to give you your wish for some pictures of this Trooper .22, as soon I can pick this gun up(There is that unfortunate, 10 day waiting period here in CA)! You won't be disappointed(Unless my pictures turn out bad(Hopefully not!)?

 

[22-rimfire]

I usually find the Troopers with no box or other goodies. You have made a great find on a great old revolver. You will not regret buying this one. Keep it nice and it will probably be a good investment piece for you. Now you will want to find one that is a little more used to shoot and they are great shooters.

I remember the first one I got from a friend. He hands it to me and offered to sell it. I had never heard of a 22 Trooper at that time. It took some research and I learned about the Troopers. No one really knows how many were manufactured, but they are clearly a diamond in the rough at this stage of the game. Enjoy.