Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The Colt Viper was an aluminum-framed revolver produced by Colt from 1977 to 1984, part of their line of “snake gun” revolvers. It was based on the design of the post-1972 Colt Police Positive Special, chambered in .38 Special with a 4-inch barrel. The Viper featured the same walnut grip design as the Detective Special and Cobra models, though slightly longer. It was available in either blue or nickel finishes, but otherwise had no variations. Production was low, making the Viper one of the rarer Colt revolvers. This lightweight and compact design made it popular for law enforcement and personal protection. Though overshadowed by the iconic Python, the Viper is still sought after by collectors of Colt’s snake-themed revolvers. With only a few thousand produced over its 7-year run, the Colt Viper remains an interesting footnote in the company’s history of quality handgun manufacturing.
“Manufactured in 1978. Standard markings and features. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 4 inch barrel in .38 Special and nickel finish and it was shipped to Southern Gun Distributors Inc. of Opa-Locka, Florida, on August 24, 1978.”
Lot 608: Nickel Colt Viper Double Action Revolver. (n.d.-b). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/85/608/nickel-colt-viper-double-action-revolver.
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