OK you Colt Experts - riddle me this

[FISH4BUGS]

I have a Colt Officer's Model Match in about 98% condition. It shoots like a dream with H&G51's and 4.0 gr 231.
Here is my question: the gun was exported to Germany (three German proof marks on the left side of the frame and one on the barrel) and was imported back to the US. The importer's name and town is ENGRAVED nicely (not stamped) on the underside of the barrel.
The serial number is 9335XX. Everything I can find (Colt, ProofHouse, etc.) says this should have a letter suffix or prefix in the s/n, but it doesn't. I have checked the Colt serial number lists on the net and can't really find when it was made because the s/n doesn't jive with the listed numbers.
It appears to be a 5th issue made from 53 to 69. I wonder if guns exported had a different s/n?
Anyone can chime in here. I am open to thoughts.
164289
164290 These are the German proof marks
164291

[marlin39a]

My Wilson colts book has this: Trooper model, shared with Officer Model Match .38. Starting 1965 - 933201.

[FISH4BUGS]

Thank you! I'll take a SWAG :-P and say it is 1965. Not bad for a 50+ year old gun.
Any idea where I could find an exploded drawing of this gun? In cleaning it I discovered a tiny spring on my bench that MAY have come out of the cylinder retaining screw and pin hole....or not.
It works just fine without it, but I am not sure it actually came from THIS gun.
It looks like there are 2 pieces to the retaining screw (the screw itself and small stopper that fits into the cylinder mounting shaft groove), but MAYBE the spring belongs in there somewhere?
Many thanks,
Donald in NH

[Handloader109]

There is a small coil spring that goes with cylinder retaining lever

[marlin39a]

It is in Jerry Kuhnhausen's book , The Colt Double Action Revolvers, A Shop Manual, Volume 1. Page 195. I can make you a copy and send it off if you want. Neil

And yes, there is a small spring between the screw and detent.

[FISH4BUGS]

M39a:
I would be most grateful.
Send me a PM and I'll tell you where to send it.
Scan and email is fine, or snail mail. Your choice.
Many thanks!
Donald

[David2011]

Sidebar: I asked a retired New Mexico game warden that I know what he was carrying when he retired. I already suspected it was a wheelgun. He said is was a Colt Trooper that he bought new in the early '60s for the princely sum of $67.00 and he still has it. Yes, workers made less back then but it still seems like nicer new production firearms have gone up much faster than inflation. An inflation calculator says $67 in 1962 would be equal to $526 today.

David

[FISH4BUGS]

I am a collector of Colts, early Hi Standards and S&W's. I can say with absolute confidence that the quality of workmanship and material in pre 1960 era guns is beyond compare. The 1920's and 1930's guns are virtually hand built guns.
I have a pre-war Colt SAA in 44 special that I shoot. It is like butter when you cock it and the trigger is smooth as glass. The pre war Shooting master has a simply unbelieveable action. A 1920's commercial Colt 45 is nicer than anything made today.
I think the quality of the steel is different today. It was far better then. The workmanship and finish was better then.
Pre war guns are just works of mass production art.