Grips were checkered rosewood with a smooth backstrap and gold rampant Colt medallion inserts. Standard features on the BOA were the same Accro-style sights and Royal Blue finish of the Python, and a wide, target-style trigger with three grooves. Horton also packaged one of each barrel length in 100 cased sets, meaning only 500 individual 4-inch and 500 corresponding 6-inch guns were sold. Of those, half of the revolvers used 4-inch barrels while the other half had 6-inch barrels. Call it a dressed-up Mark V or a budget Python, it was unique.Įschewing adding it to their catalog, Colt elected to just deliver the entire factory run of some 1,200 of these crossover revolvers to distributor Lew Horton of Southborough, Massachusetts, in 1985, with limited edition consecutive serial numbers running from BOA1 to BOA1200. The frame and action are that of a Trooper while the distinctive full-lug barrel is a Python trait. 357 Magnum double-action revolver to fall between the standard Mark V Trooper and the top-shelf hand-built Python, blending the features of both guns. Gun writer Jim Weller, who reviewed the BOA for American Handgunner in 1986, detailed that Colt had originally intended to produce the six-shot. For seekers of the seven serpents, however, a couple of these guns are almost impossible to find: the Viper, which was just a regular catalog item for Colt in 1977, and the BOA, which is even rarer. 38 Special, while some were less frequently encountered, such as the Anaconda, which was made in. Some of these were more popular and widespread, such as the Diamondback, which was made in both. Little brother to the Python I always thought.The Colt BOA was only made in limited numbers for a single year, then sold through a single distributor, making it probably the most elusive and desirable of the company's double-action revolvers.īetween 19, Colt delivered to wheel gun aficionados a series of seven now-classic 'snake' guns: Cobra, Python, Diamondback, Viper, BOA, King Cobra, and Anaconda. 6 in., adj sights, steel frame, checkered walnut grips, made 1966-86.ĩ5% $340 add additional $150 for 100% specimens.

I called Colt and they were very nice and told me it was Mfg. The pistol is NIB with all the papers.Thanks in advance Benny I just purchased a Colt Diamondback 38 cal.6' Barrel with nickel finish.The serial number is S74493.Can someone tell me the date of mfg?The book I have stops at 1978 and it is not in it.

Colt diamondback history