Colt Viper: A Rare Snake and a Great Revolver

Published on April 8, 2024
Duration: 7:11

The Colt Viper, a rare member of Colt's 'snake' series, is essentially a lightweight Colt Police Positive Special built on an aluminum alloy D-frame. Produced only in 1977, its rarity makes it a target for fakes, requiring serial number verification or factory letters for authentication. It was offered in blued and nickel finishes, with the nickel being scarcer today.

Quick Summary

The Colt Viper is a rare 'snake' series revolver, essentially a lightweight Colt Police Positive Special on an aluminum alloy D-frame, weighing just 20 ounces. Produced only in 1977, its rarity makes it a target for fakes, necessitating serial number checks or factory letters for authentication.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Colt Viper
  2. 01:56Technical Design and Weight
  3. 03:23Authentication and Fakes
  4. 05:22Production History
  5. 06:07Variants and Original Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Colt Viper a rare firearm?

The Colt Viper is rare because it was only manufactured in 1977, with an estimated 4,000 units produced. It's also the second rarest of Colt's seven 'snake' series revolvers, making it a highly sought-after collectible.

How is the Colt Viper different from other Colt revolvers?

The Viper is essentially a Colt Police Positive Special built on a lightweight aluminum alloy D-frame, weighing only 20 ounces. This makes it significantly lighter than many other service-sized revolvers.

How can one authenticate a Colt Viper and avoid fakes?

Authenticating a Colt Viper requires careful inspection. Due to the existence of fakes made from converted D-frame Colts, verification often involves checking serial numbers or obtaining a factory letter.

What finishes were available for the Colt Viper?

The Colt Viper was available in two finishes: blued and nickel. Today, the nickel-finished versions are considered scarcer than the blued ones.

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