Description
Item Description
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Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this Interesting and ONE-OF-A-KIND double-action revolver for a penny-start auction; this is the Colt Experimental Prototype Trooper MK III!
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According to the included factory letter, this Colt Experimental Prototype Trooper MK III, serial number X74004, was shipped to Greg Martin Auctions at 660 Third Street, Suite 100, San Francisco, California, on October 16, 2008. This highly unusual revolver stands out as a genuine Colt factory prototype, never intended for public sale, and retained in-house for experimental purposes. It features a striking combination of a blued finish paired with a case-hardened hammer, a 6" matted solid rib barrel, and finely checkered, varnished walnut grips with gold-plated Rampant Colt medallion inlays—details that underscore Colt’s craftsmanship even at the prototype stage. Uniquely, this revolver bears no maker, address, model, or caliber markings, further reinforcing its status as a true one-off experimental piece. What makes this revolver especially appealing to collectors is not only its rarity—prototype Colts are exceedingly scarce—but also the insight it offers into Colt’s developmental process during the Trooper MK III era. The lack of production markings and inclusion of custom design features like the matted rib barrel make this revolver a conversation piece and a historical artifact. Whether displayed as the centerpiece of a Colt collection or appreciated for its role in firearms evolution, this prototype represents the kind of rarity and factory authenticity that makes collectors take notice.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Experimental Prototype Trooper MK III
Serial: X74004
Date of Manufacture: 1998 (According to Colt Serial Lookup)
Model: Experimental Prototype Trooper MK III
Serial: X74004
Date of Manufacture: 1998 (According to Colt Serial Lookup)
Date of Shipment: October 16, 2008 (According to the Colt Factory Letter)
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Finish: Blue with Case-Hardened Hammer
Barrel Length: 6" Matted Solid Rib Barrel
Optics/Sights: Serrated Ramp Front on Pinned Serrated Ramp Base with Adjustable Notched Rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered and Varnished Walnut Grips with Gold Plated Rampant Colt Medallion Inlays
Action: Double/Single-Action Revolver
Special Features: This revolver is without the maker, address, model, or caliber markings.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
By the late 1960s, Colt's revolvers were becoming too expensive and labor-intensive to maintain profitability against competitors. To address this, Colt designed a new action system to replace their old medium-frame revolvers, resulting in the Colt "J" frame, Mark III. This innovative design featured a coil spring mechanism and a revolutionary "transfer bar" ignition system, replacing the old rebounding hammer and safety block system. The transfer bar acted as both a safety feature and the ignition system, ensuring the revolver couldn't fire unless the trigger was deliberately pulled. Colt also incorporated sintered steel technology for internal parts, allowing for faster production and reducing the need for hand-fitting, which made the Mark III the first "machine-fitted" revolver. The new design was simpler, safer, and cheaper to produce, utilizing stainless steel springs and sintered steel parts that were durable and precise, but limited customization options like traditional trigger jobs due to the thin, case-hardened surface of the components.
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Finish: Blue with Case-Hardened Hammer
Barrel Length: 6" Matted Solid Rib Barrel
Optics/Sights: Serrated Ramp Front on Pinned Serrated Ramp Base with Adjustable Notched Rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered and Varnished Walnut Grips with Gold Plated Rampant Colt Medallion Inlays
Action: Double/Single-Action Revolver
Special Features: This revolver is without the maker, address, model, or caliber markings.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
By the late 1960s, Colt's revolvers were becoming too expensive and labor-intensive to maintain profitability against competitors. To address this, Colt designed a new action system to replace their old medium-frame revolvers, resulting in the Colt "J" frame, Mark III. This innovative design featured a coil spring mechanism and a revolutionary "transfer bar" ignition system, replacing the old rebounding hammer and safety block system. The transfer bar acted as both a safety feature and the ignition system, ensuring the revolver couldn't fire unless the trigger was deliberately pulled. Colt also incorporated sintered steel technology for internal parts, allowing for faster production and reducing the need for hand-fitting, which made the Mark III the first "machine-fitted" revolver. The new design was simpler, safer, and cheaper to produce, utilizing stainless steel springs and sintered steel parts that were durable and precise, but limited customization options like traditional trigger jobs due to the thin, case-hardened surface of the components.
The Colt Trooper Mark III was the premium model in the Mark III series, produced from 1969 to 1983, and served as a replacement for the older medium-frame revolvers, excluding the Python. This revolver featured adjustable sights, a heavy shrouded barrel, and was equipped with Colt's first Target trigger, along with Target grips and a Target hammer. It was available in barrel lengths of 4 inches, 6 inches, and later, 8 inches. The finishes included a new high-gloss bright blue-black, bright nickel, and the satin electroless nickel known as "Coltguard," which is often mistaken for stainless steel. The Trooper Mark III was chambered in .22LR, .22 Magnum, and .357 Magnum, with a few special-order models made in .38 Special for law enforcement use.
Contents:
Contents:
This example will ship with the matching factory Colt letter seen pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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