Colt Trooper Mk.III (It needed a new home, so I resued it.)

[m&p45acp10+1]

This one I picked up at a gun show. It was the property of a family friend that passed away a few years ago. He was a Texas Ranger for 30 years until he retired. He graduated college and was sworn in as a Ranger in 1974. He was issued a Colt Trooper Mk.III that was brand new. As a Ranger he was allowed to carry any gun he chose. So he carried a 1911 in .38 Super. The 6 inch Trooper was put into a cigar box in his desk. He kept it oiled, and shot 25 rounds out of it for his first range qualification in 74. When they stated to issue semi auto guns he was given the option to buy the Colt. He did so. It cost him $300 out of his pay check.


He had many other high quality guns in his collection as well. When he passed away 3 years ago they drew a large crowd for the auction. This one was missed. It was not in his safe where he kept all the others. It was in his home office desk in the same cigar box he kept it in while he worked as Ranger. He retired in 2004. It was found by his nephews as they have been helping to clear out the house. His widow is getting to the point she can not live alone any longer, and her health is on the decline. She has decided to move into a retirement community, and is selling much of the stuff in the ranch house. Hence the cigar box in the desk drawer being found.

There was quite a bit of Navajo silver jewelry they were to sell, and they paid for a table at the gun show. I saw them, and went up say hello to my dear family friends. I went to school with both his nephews, and played football with both as well. They pulled out a cigar box, and said they were hoping to see me. They wanted to give me the first shot at what was in it. They did tell me that they fired a box of .38 Special out of it last week. Then cleaned it.

I paid $700 cash for it. It was all I had in my pocket.

Time to shut up and show the pictures.

<a href="http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/centexan254/media/DSC01511_zpsugitqp68.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee518/centexan254/DSC01511_zpsugitqp68.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC01511_zpsugitqp68.jpg"/></a>

[Model12Win]

THAT is a beaut.

[muzzleblast...]

It is definately in nice shape. The first revolver I every bought was a Trooper Mk III. I still like them.

[m&p45acp10+1]

I took it to the range yesterday. I fired some of my target hand loads. It will shoot your eyes out. Dead on 6o'clock hold 6 in the 10 ring from a Weaver stance at 15 yards. The double action is as smooth as they get. Not the lightest by any standard, but smooth as warm butter. I was holding on to the thought of this being an investment piece. I am keeping it. Not for sale.

[DaleA]

I'm quite possibly having a senior moment here but I think I remember seeing a picture of your Colt Trooper Mark III and I think I remember it had the original, fat at the bottom, wood grips. (A handsome firearm indeed!) The pictures don't show up now and as I understand it that is a Photobucket 'situation'.

Anyway if you've got the original wood grips how do you like them? I always thought they really had quite a distinctive look but they didn't fit me particularly well and that led to a real appreciation for the Pachmayr products.

[m&p45acp10+1]

Dale you are correct. I am having issues with Photobucket. They seem to have a policy that makes it so that I can not share my own photos. The grips are the silver coin grips.

[otasan]

Colt stopped making the Mk III years ago, IIRC

[m&p45acp10+1]

Yes they did. Somewhere in tbe area of 1982 or so if I recall correctly. The one I picked up is 43 years old. It looks like it was made last week. It is in "like new condition. I have put a couple of boxes of ammo out of it already. I will put more out it as time allows.

[4V50 Gary]

Get a letter from the widow stating it was his revolver and that he carried it as a Ranger. Also get a photo of him to go with it. Get the letter notarized. It adds value to the Trooper.

[m&p45acp10+1]

Gary I have signed payroll deduct form the captain signed for keeping the gun. He never carried it. It never was in a holster. He put it in a cigar box in his desk. It was in an oil soaked sock in the same cigar box in his home office desk when his nephews found it. He passed away about 3 years ago. His nephews kept some of his guns that he wanted them to have. The rest were auctioned and drew a premium.

His widow has lived in their ranch house since his passing with the one of the nephews living in the guest house, and keeping an eye on her. Rapid onset of demetia has made her unable to even remember her own name so a letter from her is not going to happen.

[Dfariswheel]

If you want to dry fire it, buy some snap caps.

There's a chance the firing pin could break, and replacement requires some special tooling to change it out.
Since Colt no longer services these, you'd have to go to Frank Glenn to get it replaced.

That's about the only weakness the Mark III had. These were real tanks, designed for unlimited use with full charge Magnum ammo.
The blued finish makes today's revolvers like they were polished with a power sander.

[tallball]

That is a beautiful revolver. I am happy for you.