I recently purchased a Colt Border Patrol in .357 magnum with 4" barrel, it's a terrific gun and great shooter. I can't find any reliable history online for the Border Patrol second issue. Looking for information on how many were made, and if I can discover the year of manufacture from the serial number. Is this gun really based on the Trooper Mark III? What's it worth?
Looking for info on Colt Border Patrol .357 Magnum
- Thread starter Shaggy168
- Start date
It's a Trooper Mk 3 (J frame). With a less polished finish and a "Border Patrol" rollmark on the barrel. Good revolvers, I have a couple of them. Not to be confused with the older Trooper which shares the Python action, it was the predecessor to the Mk 5/King Cobra models. - dan
One of our local dealers brought in a bunch of them in the mid 1970's trying to get the local PD to buy them as he could get a good price on them but they did not switch so he had about a dozen of them to get rid of which he did at great prices. I bought one and kept it for a while as did other people who knew a great deal when they saw one. Still a few of them around these parts.
They were Colt's answer to the Highway Patrolman in the S&W line, a less glossy finished .357 wheel gun for duty use and police budgets.
They were Colt's answer to the Highway Patrolman in the S&W line, a less glossy finished .357 wheel gun for duty use and police budgets.
Yes, that sounds about right. I was offered one for $500 and turned it down. While an interesting variation of the Mk III, it isn't worth a premium and it is a post 46 prohib. Ergo, lower value. For one that was just a shooter, I doubt I would go over $350. FWIW - dan
I've put a couple hundred rounds through it now and I really like it, the action is super smooth. A little peppy but I attribute that to the 4" barrel.
I did finally find some info online that identifies year by serial number.
@tobin - ironically enough one of the contributing factors to the purchase of the Colt is that my S&W Highway Patrolman is in the shop and I was suffering from .357 magnum withdrawls!
I did finally find some info online that identifies year by serial number.
@tobin - ironically enough one of the contributing factors to the purchase of the Colt is that my S&W Highway Patrolman is in the shop and I was suffering from .357 magnum withdrawls!
