Make: Colt
Model: Border Patrol
Serial Number: J71347, DPS number 23663
Year of Manufacture: 1971
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Double Action or Single Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder
Barrel Length: 4"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade pinned to a serrated, ramped base fixed to the top rib. The rear sight is a square notch leaf adjustable for windage and elevation in a base pinned to the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with silver-colored Colt medallions. The interior of the left panel has "N.C. HUGHES" hand-written, the interior of the right has "Texas DPS / J71347". The grips show minor handling wear with a few small marks and light tool marks around the screw head. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: A little remaining finish is Original, most surfaces show treatment with cold blue.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent light erosion in the bore, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 5% of its metal finish. There is infrequent finish in well protected areas, mostly covered by the grips when they are installed. Most surfaces have worn to white with evenly scattered surface erosion, mostly scrubbed out. Surfaces show treatment with cold blue at some point in the past. There are a few light scratches and the action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition.
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 standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Colt Archives letter. The letter indicates that this revolver shipped in its current configuration on November 9, 1971 to the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin, Texas as one of 90 guns of the same type in the shipment.
Our Assessment: The original "Border Patrol" Colt revolver was essentially an Official Police revolver produced specifically for the Border Patrol in 1952. In the 1970s, it was reintroduced as a 'Trooper' variant, made both for the Border Patrol and for the commercial market, though only 5,356 Second Issue Border Patrol pistols were manufactured between 1970 and 1975. Similar to Smith & Wesson's Models 27 and 28, the Border Patrol's design is the same as the Trooper, but with less polishing on the exposed surfaces. While the result doesn’t have the same mirror-smooth surface and deep blue color of the Trooper, they are still desirable to Colt collectors for their scarcity.
This example is particularly interesting as it was originally purchased by the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin. The gun has lost most of its finish, but the bore is in much better shape than the exterior appearance would suggest. It is possible it simply saw frequent carry and duty use, maybe somewhere on the Gulf coast. Based on the condition of the grips and the remaining finish under them, it appears that it was frequently carried with aftermarket grips installed, accounting for the original wood stocks' relatively nice condition. The original DPS marking is still present on the frame, other observed examples have been removed. It will make a great addition to a Colt collection, especially if you're from the Lone Star State and appreciate a duty sidearm that looks like it actually saw use. Please see our photos and good luck!
