German Proofed Colt King Cobra

[epwegmann]

So I finally took delivery of my Colt today. After getting it home and cleaning it, I noticed a series of proof marks that, to the best of my knowledge, appear to be German.
Strangely, there are no importer's marks on the revolver. Anyone else get one of these guns or know the story behind them? Cursory searches on google found a Python or two that shared the same proofs, but that's about it. ( Apologize about the pictures; it's damn hard to get my phone to focus on the proofs).

[nitroxdiver]

That sir is bad ***. I have no info for you other than that that looks like the "eagle n" proof mark on the barrel which was a proof house in Ulm Germany. Here is a link with other proof marks that will maybe help you decipher the others. Good luck and congrats!

http://www.nramuseum.com/media/940944/proofmarks.pdf

Sent from classified location using Tapatalk.

[sealocan]

I am far from a Colt expert but to me that's either very suspicious
( like a German made clone/copy of a Colt) or some kind of a rarity.


I hope for your sake it's a rarity.

[offrdmania]

Its an MDW import gun

http://www.mdwguns.com/gun2colt.html

http://www.mdwguns.com/cip.html

[DysfunctionalVet]

For some odd reason that machining doesn't look like it would pass colt's QC. The area where the barrel connects to the main housing looks rough.

For your sake I suggest you contact a Colt snake series expert because something is "off" in my opinion.

[epwegmann]

Eh that rough spot on the frame by the barrel isn't pretty, but this isn't a Pytgon either. Also, having called Colt, it's from 1989( around some of the tighter times for Colt). I also realized inside the ejector shroud is coated in grease, photographed like crap.

Thanks to everyone who responded; the dates for proof marks date to '89 as well; that's a rather oddly specific detail for a forgery.

For some odd reason that machining doesn't look like it would pass colt's QC. The area where the barrel connects to the main housing looks rough.

For your sake I suggest you contact a Colt snake series expert because something is "off" in my opinion.

[offrdmania]

Did you miss my post above?

[DysfunctionalVet]

Eh that rough spot on the frame by the barrel isn't pretty, but this isn't a Pytgon either. Also, having called Colt, it's from 1989( around some of the tighter times for Colt). I also realized inside the ejector shroud is coated in grease, photographed like crap.

Thanks to everyone who responded; the dates for proof marks date to '89 as well; that's a rather oddly specific detail for a forgery.

Congrats on the gun being genuine. Did you get it at a steal?

[SonofWWIIDI]

Very cool!

[I Swan]

I've seen various guns that made it back to the US of US origin with various poofmarks. Like a 10/22 and a S&W 27 with Brit proofs. I think some came back with GI's that were stationed in those countries. The US does not operate a proofhouse system but some do it internally at the factory like the Colt VP verified proof mark on the trigger guards of 1911's.

[epwegmann]

You know, that'd make sense if the lack of importers mark. I did read of some " rod and gun clubs" in Germany in the 80's that were frequented by people stationed there.

By the way, took it shooting today, those 125gr SP's in 357 were ridiculous. Having primarily shot .45 most of my life, this was quite a change!

I've seen various guns that made it back to the US of US origin with various poofmarks. Like a 10/22 and a S&W 27 with Brit proofs. I think some came back with GI's that were stationed in those countries. The US does not operate a proofhouse system but some do it internally at the factory like the Colt VP verified proof mark on the trigger guards of 1911's.

[scoobydo]

Ok, so I didn't read the posts with all the history.
I haven't had my coffee yet and I was out late watching Star Wars last night.
Anybody got some cliff notes?
Is this a US made Colt that was imported to Germany for sale and required proof marks.
Then made its way back to the US?

[epwegmann]

You're about spot on with the summary.

Ok, so I didn't read the posts with all the history.
I haven't had my coffee yet and I was out late watching Star Wars last night.
Anybody got some cliff notes?
Is this a US made Colt that was imported to Germany for sale and required proof marks.
Then made its way back to the US?