Make: Colt
Model: Three-Fifty-Seven
Serial Number: 1559
Date of Manufacture: 1954, 1st Year Production
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Single and Double Action Revolver With Swing Out Cylinder
Barrel Length: 4"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade integral to a serrated, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base pinned to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with silver-colored Rampant Colt medallions at the tops of the grips. The grips show even moderate handling wear. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8+/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 65% of its finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas including the butt. There is finish wear on each side of the barrel toward the muzzle, on the topstrap, and around the outside of the cylinder, mostly behind the flutes. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The sideplate has a slight plum hue. The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: In the early 1950's, Colt realized that they were behind the times and didn't have a revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum. The previous New Service model had been discontinued during WWII and was a heavy frame, too heavy for constant carry use. Colt brushed off their medium E frame, changed it to add an internal spring-loaded firing pin and heat treated it to increase its strength, calling its new creation the "I" frame. The new gun was ready for production in 1954 and Colt called it "The Colt 357". Colt outfitted the revolver with adjustable sights and gave it a more carefully fitted and tuned action. Colt used the old E frame for the Trooper, and gave it adjustable sights as well, chambered for .38 Special and .22 L.R. The Colt .357 was a big success, but then Colt came out with the Python, an even more upgraded revolver. Shooters who had the money went to the new Python and those who didn’t mostly bought the Trooper, leaving the Colt .357 in limbo. It was discontinued in 1961 after only 15,000 had been produced, at which time Colt moved the Trooper to the I frame and offered it in .357 Magnum as well as .38 and .22.
This Colt .357 was made in the first year of production, 1954, and is quite early with serial number 1559. It has the desirable Colt Blue finish, with a very smooth double action trigger. This example appears to have seen use over the last 72, with about 65% of its finish remaining, but retaining a good bore and strong mechanics. We think the Colt collectors will be interested, especially given the small numbers of this model produced and this one's particularly low four-digit serial number. Please see our photos and good luck!
