I recently bought a nickle plated Lawman MK III with the 2 inch barrel. Checked the serial # and it was made in 76. It has a bobbed hammer and Pachmayer grips with the Colt medallions. I was told the bobbed hammer and grips were original. I have never seen or read about one so configured. I suspect these are non factory additions. Does anyone have any knowledge or opinions about this gun. Thanks for any help.
Lawman MK III ?
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Always remember that you could special order bobbed hammers and different grips from the factory.
Also, Colt often made up small non-cataloged runs of guns with custom features.
Some things to look at:
Is the hammer nickel plated too?
Are there any signs of the hammer being cut or filed?
It's unlikely Colt would have left file or saw marks on it.
If the hammer is not plated, it should be color case hardened. Is the entire hammer color cased or is the area where the spur was look like it was cold blued?
Also, Colt often made up small non-cataloged runs of guns with custom features.
Some things to look at:
Is the hammer nickel plated too?
Are there any signs of the hammer being cut or filed?
It's unlikely Colt would have left file or saw marks on it.
If the hammer is not plated, it should be color case hardened. Is the entire hammer color cased or is the area where the spur was look like it was cold blued?
I don't know much about your Lawman or Colt wheel guns in general.... matter of fact this is my first post here /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
I just got a Lawman Mk III myself and mine is a blued 2" with orginal grips. I'm curious if you know, or anyone else on here may know if I can get after market grips for it? It's a little tough to hold onto when shooting .357 loads and would prefer some rubber grips with grooved fingers.
Yours sounds like it would look pretty cool looking with the nickel plating and black grips.
I just got a Lawman Mk III myself and mine is a blued 2" with orginal grips. I'm curious if you know, or anyone else on here may know if I can get after market grips for it? It's a little tough to hold onto when shooting .357 loads and would prefer some rubber grips with grooved fingers.
Yours sounds like it would look pretty cool looking with the nickel plating and black grips.
Thanks for your reply. The hammer is case hardened and I see no signs of file or other finishing marks. The spur area does seem to match the rest of the hammer although the entire back of the hammer has very little color. At least not as much as the sides. Thanks again for the information.
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There are limited grips available for the MkIII series. The main one is Pachmayr Presentation target style. Like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...me=STRK:MEWA:IT
If you are handy at all or inclined to do a project, I will tell you about a real inexpensive wood finger groove "kit" grip that is available.
Actually, I'd like a set of originals.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...me=STRK:MEWA:IT
If you are handy at all or inclined to do a project, I will tell you about a real inexpensive wood finger groove "kit" grip that is available.
Actually, I'd like a set of originals.
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ss454:
Typically, on the factory sintered steel Mark III hammers, the color case doesn't show much except on the sides.
Since there don't seem to be any file or grinding marks, and the finish appears to be factory original, I'd bet that this is an uncatalogued, limited production model.
Nice find.
Eric:
The problem with the 2" Lawman is, it's the ONLY Colt that used that exact grip.
Due to the special rounded butt frame, no other grip BUT one made for a 2" Lawman will fit.
The 4" Lawman used the full profile square butt and the grips even on the Lawman don't interchange.
Best advice is to contact some grip makers to find one who offers or will make a set for your 2" Lawman.
When contacting them make SURE they fully understand this is a 2" Lawman, and that 4" Lawman grips won't do.
A1A: For original 2" Lawman grips, Ebay is your friend.
They show up there fairly often, and usually either don't sell at all, or sell fairly cheap.
NOTE that the 4" Service style grips also WILL NOT fit a 2" Lawman.
ONLY 2" Lawman grips will fit.
Typically, on the factory sintered steel Mark III hammers, the color case doesn't show much except on the sides.
Since there don't seem to be any file or grinding marks, and the finish appears to be factory original, I'd bet that this is an uncatalogued, limited production model.
Nice find.
Eric:
The problem with the 2" Lawman is, it's the ONLY Colt that used that exact grip.
Due to the special rounded butt frame, no other grip BUT one made for a 2" Lawman will fit.
The 4" Lawman used the full profile square butt and the grips even on the Lawman don't interchange.
Best advice is to contact some grip makers to find one who offers or will make a set for your 2" Lawman.
When contacting them make SURE they fully understand this is a 2" Lawman, and that 4" Lawman grips won't do.
A1A: For original 2" Lawman grips, Ebay is your friend.
They show up there fairly often, and usually either don't sell at all, or sell fairly cheap.
NOTE that the 4" Service style grips also WILL NOT fit a 2" Lawman.
ONLY 2" Lawman grips will fit.
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11,097 Posts
Not to hijack the topic, but it seems that as of just recently people are bidding outrageously on stocks on Ebay. I passed up a reasonable set long before I had a Lawman because I didn't need them then. I let the only set I've seen since go when the bidding got into the $30s. Someone bid $46 plus shipping for a set of the newer style MkIII targets and they are still available for significantly less without bidding. Another recent bid was $26 plus shipping for D frame Pachmayr targets with medallions. It's become ridiculous.
I let the only set I've seen since go when the bidding got into the $30s. Someone bid $46 plus shipping for a set of the newer style MkIII targets and they are still available for significantly less without bidding. Another recent bid was $26 plus shipping for D frame Pachmayr targets with medallions. It's become ridiculous.
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Well, basically it is as a MkIII, except for having the square butt. You made me stop being lazy - here are some pics.
Lawman with a stock assortment.
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It is wearing Colt medallioned Pachmayrs specifically marked for J frame round butt (left). They fit like a glove. As opposed to some Pachmayr medallioned that will fit either and look OK because the back strap is enclosed (right).
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These are the newer style MkIII targets. They fit but have a void because they expose the backstrap and accommodate the square butts.
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Lawman with a stock assortment.
It is wearing Colt medallioned Pachmayrs specifically marked for J frame round butt (left). They fit like a glove. As opposed to some Pachmayr medallioned that will fit either and look OK because the back strap is enclosed (right).
These are the newer style MkIII targets. They fit but have a void because they expose the backstrap and accommodate the square butts.
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11,097 Posts
OK, more pictures. No woodworker here, but since I mentioned them I thought I'd show them. These were bought from Gun Parts Corp. They are listed under Trooper/Lawman as "gunfighter style" walnut grips with escutcheon. What they DON'T tell you is that they are a KIT. They are milled/routed for the grip frame and rough shaped on the outside and still have blocks at the ends. Wish I had a "before" picture. Anyway, a couple three days with the coping saw, chisel, two grades of sandpaper, a hand drill, a couple of coats of urethane and a rough-spot touch up with fine synthetic steel wool and I'm done. Someone with more skills and patience could do much better. The best part, I guess, is that they're like $5.40 and if you're ordering something else, the postage is based on total cost not bulk. Not much to lose and not worth returning and one point of the thread was that there arren't many choices for MkIIIs. They're quite a handful but surprisingly comfortable. Haven't shot with them yet.
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