DOB Trooper Mk III 357mag
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JACKPOT!!
Its a first year production, 1969.
The numbers started at J1001 and ended that year at J8600.
As a first year gun, your's should have the early counter-bored chambers which enclose the cartridge case heads.
Later production guns changed to a ring-like "fence" around the outside edge of the cylinder.
Its a first year production, 1969.
The numbers started at J1001 and ended that year at J8600.
As a first year gun, your's should have the early counter-bored chambers which enclose the cartridge case heads.
Later production guns changed to a ring-like "fence" around the outside edge of the cylinder.
dfaris brings up an interesting tidbit of info regarding the differences in cylinders on the MKIII.
Another interesting difference between your early production 6" MKIII & late production is the front sight & the top strap. Late production has a gradual ramp upward toward the barrel with the front site perched on the ramp. The older production had a flat top strap with the front site mounted on a pedestal base. Yours should be the latter.
So does any one know what model years these changes took place?
I figure the answer will come from someone with a large MKIII collection or a great reference book. I can narrow it down to a range of years for each trait based on my MKIII collection but not sure of the exact years the changes took place.
Another interesting difference between your early production 6" MKIII & late production is the front sight & the top strap. Late production has a gradual ramp upward toward the barrel with the front site perched on the ramp. The older production had a flat top strap with the front site mounted on a pedestal base. Yours should be the latter.
So does any one know what model years these changes took place?
I figure the answer will come from someone with a large MKIII collection or a great reference book. I can narrow it down to a range of years for each trait based on my MKIII collection but not sure of the exact years the changes took place.
Rwalter, was your 1980 a 6"? I have only noted the ramped top strap on the 6" & 8" MKIII's. None of my 4" have this trait.
My 1981 MKIII with 6" DOES have the ramp. So if your 1980 was a 6" then we are safe to assume that this change took place beginning in 1981 affecting the 6" & 8" models.
My 1977 MKIII 6" does NOT have the ramp, so I was only able to figure the change happened somewhere between 1977 & 1981.
Regarding the cylinder trait I know that my 1971 6" MKIII is the same as your 1969. We are getting close to the answer for this one.
My 1981 MKIII with 6" DOES have the ramp. So if your 1980 was a 6" then we are safe to assume that this change took place beginning in 1981 affecting the 6" & 8" models.
My 1977 MKIII 6" does NOT have the ramp, so I was only able to figure the change happened somewhere between 1977 & 1981.
Regarding the cylinder trait I know that my 1971 6" MKIII is the same as your 1969. We are getting close to the answer for this one.
I did double check the cylinder and it is counter-bored a la S&W pre 1981. The front site is mounted on a pedestal base and the entire top strap of the barrel is flat.
However, I compared this Trooper Mk III in 357 with the J73xx SN to my Trooper Mk III in 22lr with a SN of Y87xx circa 1980 and the front site arrangement and the entire top of the barrel with the flat strap the whole length are identical.
However, I compared this Trooper Mk III in 357 with the J73xx SN to my Trooper Mk III in 22lr with a SN of Y87xx circa 1980 and the front site arrangement and the entire top of the barrel with the flat strap the whole length are identical.
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