Make: Colt

Model: King Cobra

Serial Number: RA265156

Year of Manufacture: 2021

Caliber: .357 Magnum

Action Type: Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder

Barrel Length: 3"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade screw-secured to the front of the barrel's solid rib. The rear sight is a square notch integral to the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece stag panels with a pinky-finger groove at the bottom. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.

The original one-piece Colt branded pebble-textured black rubber grip is included with mounting bracket. The original grip likewise has no notable wear or damage, in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Stainless Steel

Finish Originality: Original, the engraving was cut through the finish.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn copper fouling. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates about 9/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, just a few scattered light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun is in Excellent condition as custom-engraved.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This handgun comes with a matching blue Colt plastic case, manual, cable lock and the original grip described above.

Our Assessment: One of Colt’s "Seven Serpents", the original King Cobra was a medium-frame 6-shot .357 revolver. It had the looks of a Python with lock work more similar to the venerable Trooper line of revolvers. The original King Cobra was discontinued in 1992, coming back in 1994 and discontinued again in 1998. In 2019, the model designation was brought back, but the design was notably different. The frame was a little smaller, more suitable for concealed carry, the trigger guard profile was changed, and the mechanism was altered, now having the same tight, positive lockup of the most popular Colt revolvers. This example has extensive and beautiful laser-engraving. It is too bad that the artist didn't sign the work, but the revolver is covered with tight foliate scroll, checker motif, a rampant colt on the front of the yoke hinge and a serpent-stylized "C" at the top of the backstrap. This classy revolver would make a great BBQ gun for formal occasions and would fit in with a Colt collection that hasn’t added this snake to the pit. Please see our photos and good luck!