Colt revolver value

[CrowToad]

Hi all, I have a Colt Trooper MKIII 6" .357 that has been refinished by Colt in satin nickel and has been drilled and tapped for a scope mount, which I have but it is not installed. It's serial number dates it 1976. Can anyone tell me what it's worth? Thanks for any help!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kcckcqreh5nu1ne/20180703_174452_001.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/iw8bswrypk71y7z/20180703_213218.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hh1sun5uwdjos9i/20180703_213245.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3mioaups8n3zo23/20180703_213317.jpg?dl=0

[sfe187]

I would give you my .02 but need just a bit more info. It would also helpful if you post some pics.
1. Do you have documentation that Colt did the refinish?
2. Any scratches? marks? pitting? holster wear?
3. What are the condition of bore, chamber, and forcing cone areas?
4. Original grips? box? papers?
5. What is the overall functionality? tight lock up, timing, end shake

Without these basic info, I have no clue what you have to give you an estimate.

[morrcarr67]

Sent from my P00C using Tapatalk

[CrowToad]

Hi SFE, thanks for the reply. I edited some pics into the original post

1. I have the documentation from Colt stated they refinished it and re-timed and set everything to factory specs.

2. There aren't any pitting or holster wear marks. The colt stamp is a little "smoothed out".

3. the bore chamber and forcing cone look as new. There is no pitting in the bore

4. I believe the grips are original. Rubber Pachmyer wrap around. I don't have the original box or papers,

5. The gun locks up very tight. There is just a bit of discernible end shake.

[sfe187]

These days factory originality and condition are everything when it comes to older Colts. The Python craze of last 5 to 10 years has led to other Colt revolvers increasing in value as well. Many others including myself believe “collector grade” Trooper (V spring) and Trooper MKIIIs are sleepers.

In your example, its not the original finish, however, it is documented it was refinished and re-tuned by Colt factory so it has some value there. From the pictures and your description, it appears its in great functional shape. However, the grips are not original. In 1976 you should have the Target grips with Gold Medallions. Prior to 1976, it was Silver Medallions. Also your rear sights doesn’t look original either. And as mentioned no box or papers, drilled and tapped. Also the “smoothed out” rampant horse will hurt a little as its a main aesthetic feature.

When I put it all together, this gun is not for the purist Colt collectors. Its for someone who enjoys a good looking Trooper MKIII shooter. With the California effect and given your region area, I’m putting your example at $600/$700. You might get $800/$1000 on a good day however don’t be surprise if a Colt guy offers you below $600. Don’t forget there are lots of shooter grade Troopers out there.

If this is your gun and sent in for the re-tune and refinish and made the scope change, I say keep it. Trooper MKIII is a great shooter and a tank. If you pick this up on a deal, I hope you did alright on price.

Lastly, the above is just my .02, I don’t mean disrespect if I’m far off from your evaluation. Personally I would keep it and shoot it.

[jdben92883]

Under $1000 is crazy talk. Under $800 is pure madness. Troopers are great guns and are for those that want a taste of the Python that they can actually shoot. There wasn't anything special about the Trooper's factory finish, so I think yours with a factory satin nickel will be worth MORE, not less. Plus you have a gun that has been serviced by Colt so the mechanicals are not in question. I would say at least $1200 for your bicentennial beauty.

[sfe187]

Below are currently in the marketplace. No takers.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1459585&highlight=trooper

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1458569&highlight=trooper

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1455168&highlight=trooper

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1366597&highlight=trooper

[CrowToad]

Thanks so much for everyone's input! I was guessing 700-800 but wasn't sure how much the finish and scope mount mod had devalued it

[highpower]

Under $1000 is crazy talk. Under $800 is pure madness. Troopers are great guns and are for those that want a taste of the Python that they can actually shoot. There wasn't anything special about the Trooper's factory finish, so I think yours with a factory satin nickel will be worth MORE, not less. Plus you have a gun that has been serviced by Colt so the mechanicals are not in question. I would say at least $1200 for your bicentennial beauty.

I disagree. Troopers are indeed great revolvers, but the market is only high for original un-messed with examples. If the gun was originally blued and it was refinished in nickel (even if done by the factory), it will hurt the value. Even if it was originally nickel, the value will take a hit due to being refinished. Being drilled and tapped for a scope mount really hurts the value.

There are primarily two types of people looking for older Colt revolvers:

Collectors will only pay the big bucks for original condition guns with a high percentage of finish, and the people that are primarily interested in shooter grade guns and are looking for a bargain.

There is a third potential buyer for this revolver and that is the uninformed person that doesn't really know what they are looking at and are seduced by the shiny finish. A novice that doesn't do their due diligence as far as researching the market, might be coerced into overpaying for it.

IMO, this gun has achieved bargain level status due to the refinish and the drilling/tapping. I think that $600-$700 is really all the money for this gun and as a collector, I personally wouldn't be interested in it unless it was $500 or less.

I might add that I am a Colt whore and I tend to buy any Colt where the price is commensurate with the condition.

[Barbarosa]

I agree with the estimate of $600 - $700, although with the "California Surcharge" might bump it up to $750.

[sfe187]

There is a third potential buyer for this revolver and that is the uninformed person that doesn't really know what they are looking at and are seduced by the shiny finish. A novice that doesn't do their due diligence as far as researching the market, might be coerced into overpaying for it.

Great point^^^ . . . so you say there's a chance ;-)

[morrcarr67]

I agree with the estimate of $600 - $700, although with the "California Surcharge" might bump it up to $750.

That would be about all because you can still use the SAO exemption on revolvers so you can buy any of these OOS and have them converted for transfer.

[anothergunnut]

I'm with Highpower on this. It might make a nice shooter but it's not desirable to a collector thanks to the nickel, D&T, and wrong grips. Pristine Troopers can go over $1,000 outside of CA but shooter grade guns are much cheaper.

[SDcollector]

...There are primarily two types of people looking for older Colt revolvers:

Collectors will only pay the big bucks for original condition guns with a high percentage of finish, and the people that are primarily interested in shooter grade guns and are looking for a bargain.

There is a third potential buyer for this revolver and that is the uninformed person that doesn't really know what they are looking at and are seduced by the shiny finish. A novice that doesn't do their due diligence as far as researching the market, might be coerced into overpaying for it...

I agree about the value of Mark III's, although build like a tank, their redesigned action makes them less desirable. Besides, firing pins should be mounted on the hammer.

But I must fall into the rare fourth category of Colt buyers who put less stock into original condition. I have a 1909 Bisley shooter that was rebarreled to 38 Special back in the day and recently refinished.

For me, regardless of how the market would value them, I'd never trade my Frankenstein Bisley for a new original condition third generation SAA.

[Mr. Beretta]

$600 tops IMHO.

Its a shooter. A good one, but still a shooter.

GLWS