Lawman MkIII

Ponch2221 · December 21, 2008, 01:31 AM

I recently picked up a Colt Lawman MkIII for next to nothing. It is blue and in almost excellent condition. Apparently it was only fired once, but it has real minor blemished in the finish (not rust, similar roughness). The wood grips are mint, beautiful mahogany finish. I don't know if I should fire this gun!

The barrel is 2" with the ejector rod exposed. It looks very similar to a detective special so I'm a little confused as to its age. The serial is J69***, most if not all the ones i've seen for sale online have a shrouded ejector rod, I haven't seen any like mine.

Can anyone help with the age of this gun and how much it might be worth (unfortunately no box or papers). I would also like to get a holster for it and it looks like the detective special holsters are the right ones.

Thanks for any help.

kevinarmstrong · December 21, 2008, 08:30 AM

It '69 or later... try looking at http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

Ponch2221 · December 21, 2008, 01:42 PM

The site says 1969 serial is J1001. Does that mean 1001 up? Mine has 5 numbers on the serial and starts with J69 that's why I was confused after checking out the site even before I started this thread.

kevinarmstrong · December 21, 2008, 02:05 PM

Judging by this thread: http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=158754 I would think it was made in 1971.

Ponch2221 · December 21, 2008, 08:34 PM

Thanks! Should I fire it or leave it as a display? It's almost immaculate and I've seen them going for $600.00 online and I got it dirt cheap, only one prior owner!

kevinarmstrong · December 22, 2008, 06:55 PM

I paid around that for the Trooper MKIII I bought a few months ago... It's roughly the same age as yours and in about 95% condition. I dunno... I just started to shoot it. I don't think of it as a investment or a safe queen. If you keep it clean and shiny, it should stay nice for decades. Life is short, and these are very nice, heavy duty shooters.

AUG · December 22, 2008, 07:03 PM

Shoot it. It is far from something that needs 'put up'.

With any blemish its future value is extremely limited.

Great gun BTW. Shoot and enjoy.

Ponch2221 · December 24, 2008, 04:05 PM

Here are some photos,

Smaug · December 25, 2008, 12:36 PM

To me, guns are too expensive to buy just not to shoot them.

Shoot this one and enjoy that Colt trigger.

The Meatman · December 25, 2008, 01:26 PM

I sold my Trooper MkIII some years back and kick myself everytime I read one of these threads. Thats okay though. I figure it's motivation for buying that Python somewhere down the line.

December 21, 2008, 01:31 AM	#1
Ponch2221 Member Join Date: December 21, 2008 Posts: 31	Lawman MkIII I recently picked up a Colt Lawman MkIII for next to nothing. It is blue and in almost excellent condition. Apparently it was only fired once, but it has real minor blemished in the finish (not rust, similar roughness). The wood grips are mint, beautiful mahogany finish. I don't know if I should fire this gun! The barrel is 2" with the ejector rod exposed. It looks very similar to a detective special so I'm a little confused as to its age. The serial is J69**, most if not all the ones i've seen for sale online have a shrouded ejector rod, I haven't seen any like mine. Can anyone help with the age of this gun and how much it might be worth (unfortunately no box or papers). I would also like to get a holster for it and it looks like the detective special holsters are the right ones. Thanks for any help. Last edited by Ponch2221; December 21, 2008 at 01:36 AM.*

December 21, 2008, 08:30 AM	#2
kevinarmstrong Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: NE OH Posts: 93	It '69 or later... try looking at http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html __________________ *...There's a new sheriff in town. And he don't much like guns. Better get 'em while you still can.*

December 21, 2008, 02:05 PM	#4
kevinarmstrong Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: NE OH Posts: 93	Judging by this thread: http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=158754 I would think it was made in 1971. __________________ *...There's a new sheriff in town. And he don't much like guns. Better get 'em while you still can.*

December 22, 2008, 06:55 PM	#6
kevinarmstrong Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: NE OH Posts: 93	I paid around that for the Trooper MKIII I bought a few months ago... It's roughly the same age as yours and in about 95% condition. I dunno... I just started to shoot it. I don't think of it as a investment or a safe queen. If you keep it clean and shiny, it should stay nice for decades. Life is short, and these are very nice, heavy duty shooters. __________________ *...There's a new sheriff in town. And he don't much like guns. Better get 'em while you still can.*

December 25, 2008, 12:36 PM	#9
Smaug Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 3,210	To me, guns are too expensive to buy just not to shoot them. Shoot this one and enjoy that Colt trigger. __________________ -Jeremy "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." - Eric Hoffer

December 21, 2008, 01:42 PM	#3
Ponch2221 Member Join Date: December 21, 2008 Posts: 31	The site says 1969 serial is J1001. Does that mean 1001 up? Mine has 5 numbers on the serial and starts with J69 that's why I was confused after checking out the site even before I started this thread.

December 21, 2008, 08:34 PM	#5
Ponch2221 Member Join Date: December 21, 2008 Posts: 31	Thanks! Should I fire it or leave it as a display? It's almost immaculate and I've seen them going for $600.00 online and I got it dirt cheap, only one prior owner!

December 22, 2008, 07:03 PM	#7
AUG Senior Member Join Date: March 3, 2000 Location: East TN Posts: 434	Shoot it. It is far from something that needs 'put up'. With any blemish its future value is extremely limited. Great gun BTW. Shoot and enjoy.

December 25, 2008, 01:26 PM	#10
The Meatman Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2008 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 157	I sold my Trooper MkIII some years back and kick myself everytime I read one of these threads. Thats okay though. I figure it's motivation for buying that Python somewhere down the line. __________________ D.A.V. - N.R.A. - U.S. Army Vet Navy/Army Dad. If you won't stand behind our service members, stand in front of them. "Are you guys ready? Let's Roll" Todd Beamer, Flight 93.