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Dfariswheel · May 21, 2006, 07:12 PM

Keep in mind that there are TWO "Trooper" revolvers.

The true Trooper was made from 1954 to 1969, and is basically the same gun as an Official Police or Python.
The original Trooper is often known as a "Poor man's Python" since it is basically the same design.

The gun VERY often mis-labeled as a "Trooper" is really the Colt Trooper Mark III and Mark V.
These guns were made from 1969 to the mid-1980's and are TOTALLY different designs, completely unlike the Python.

The original Trooper is a "sleeper", since most people really don't know much about them.

A fixed sight version of the Trooper Mark III and Mark V was the Lawman.
This was available in both the Mark III and Mark V versions, and in both a four inch and a two inch barrel, both in .357 Magnum.

These later Colts, culminating in the final version, the King Cobra, are very possibly the strongest mid-frame double action revolvers ever made.

The original Trooper is an extremely high quality revolver, and was a favorite of sheriff's departments in the 50's and 60's.
If you just can't swing a Python, the old model Trooper is an excellent substitute.
In fact, in the early 1970's, with Pythons being difficult to get, a number of custom gunsmiths converted Troopers into Python's by welding up the front of the frame's top strap to match the Python barrel,fitting a Python barel, tuning the action to Python standards, and giving it a Python quality blue job.

These "Troop-On's" or "Pooper's" are difficult to identify except by checking the serial numbers for Trooper or Python ranges.

In either the original Trooper or the later Trooper Mark III, these make exceptional guns, with quality unmatched by todays revolvers.

May 21, 2006, 07:12 PM	#6
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Keep in mind that there are TWO "Trooper" revolvers. The true Trooper was made from 1954 to 1969, and is basically the same gun as an Official Police or Python. The original Trooper is often known as a "Poor man's Python" since it is basically the same design. The gun VERY often mis-labeled as a "Trooper" is really the Colt Trooper Mark III and Mark V. These guns were made from 1969 to the mid-1980's and are TOTALLY different designs, completely unlike the Python. The original Trooper is a "sleeper", since most people really don't know much about them. A fixed sight version of the Trooper Mark III and Mark V was the Lawman. This was available in both the Mark III and Mark V versions, and in both a four inch and a two inch barrel, both in .357 Magnum. These later Colts, culminating in the final version, the King Cobra, are very possibly the strongest mid-frame double action revolvers ever made. The original Trooper is an extremely high quality revolver, and was a favorite of sheriff's departments in the 50's and 60's. If you just can't swing a Python, the old model Trooper is an excellent substitute. In fact, in the early 1970's, with Pythons being difficult to get, a number of custom gunsmiths converted Troopers into Python's by welding up the front of the frame's top strap to match the Python barrel,fitting a Python barel, tuning the action to Python standards, and giving it a Python quality blue job. These "Troop-On's" or "Pooper's" are difficult to identify except by checking the serial numbers for Trooper or Python ranges. In either the original Trooper or the later Trooper Mark III, these make exceptional guns, with quality unmatched by todays revolvers.