1972 gun based on published serial number range.
The gun is probably nickel plated versus stainless. Later in the production cycle, they made them in electroless nickel finish which has a brushed non-reflective stainless look to it. That started I believe circa 1980. Trooper Mark III's were manufactured in a blue or nickel finish.
Trooper Mark III's were manufactured between 1969 and 1983 in 357 mag. It was replaced with the Mark V guns. The Mark III replaced the original Trooper model in 1968, so production probably started circa 1968/1969.
They are very good revolvers. Their weakness is that you should never dry fire them without snap caps as you can break the firing pin. The one I have is my favorite 357 mag by the way.
Last edited by 22-rimfire; May 7, 2013 at 03:24 PM.
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