After buying a 1978 nickel 6” Python recently, I’ve been watching for a blued 4” to complete a “mini” set of these gorgeous revolvers.

Aware that the 2.5” Pythons were selling for some outrageous prices, they weren’t really on my radar. Well that all changed today. My little local shop called and said they’d taken in a sizable collection of old Smiths and Colts. The original owner of the whole collection is dying of cancer and the family is selling them all. Many were unfired with the boxes.

Since the shop handles all of my transfers and knows my interests, I was their first call. After seeing the spreadsheet listing all guns, this one popped out - an unfired 2.5” blued Python (vintage 1988) that they were selling for $2700. I now own it with mixed feelings that I stole it. They had a team of 3 appraisers setting the prices, but they got this one wrong and I’ll be be making an “adjustment” to my purchase price. An unfired 4” Python was marked at $3600.

Anyway, due to Michigan’s screwed up gun buying regs (I get “delayed” even with a CPL), I don’t have possession yet but here’s a couple pics.

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Mark

Glad you "stole" it.

So what were the Smiths?

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Beautiful find! Congratulations! Nice to have a shop that calls you when something interesting comes in.

A lot of K and N frames from the 70’s and 80’s which is a little new for my Smith preferences. A lot of other Colts too from that same era. I have to believe that the whole collection sold within 30 minutes.

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Mark

I saw a beautiful 6 inch nickle in the styrofoam box for $1,700 at the last gunshow I attended in OKC a few months back. There was heavy snow and ice hardly nobody attended and many dealers on Sunday afternoon were saying to make an offer if you don't like the price. I should have snagged it but i didn't realize till later how high they had gotten.

Well you've got to admit "Kalamazoo Kid" sounds like an alias to most folks. Nice catch.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

That's a great gun. Congratulations. You might want to factor in the cost to replace the original grips into your adjustment amount.

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Mark

My research tells me these are the original grips. Are you saying I should replace them?

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Mark

I would. IMHO, those 2.5” bbl. Pythons look really nice with those Colt “magna-style” stocks. (I’m no Colt expert, I only have one Python, a blued 4” with the original wooden target stocks.)

So after some more research, it seems that this one would (possibly?) have shipped with “walnut service stocks” similar to these reproductions. Am I correct for a 1988 vintage gun?

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Mark

I don’t know if they’re the correct grips but they do look nice. I really doubt those rubber grips came on it from the factory as they appear to have the Pachmayr logo instead of the Colt logo. (I have Colt logo Pachmayr Presentation Grips for my 4” that I use when I take it to the Range so I don’t mess up the wood grips.)

Congratulations on your find! I’ve never seen a 2.5” Python come from the factory with those Pachmyrs. I believe it should be the wooden service stocks that you show above.

That said, it’s a late model Python, so maybe they put Pach’s on them at that point, but I still believe they should still be wooden on that gun. I’m curious to see if someone else knows different... The gun looks mint, but if they are after-market Pach’s, I’d imagine it’s been fired...? Why would the original owner put on new rubber grips if he wasn’t going to shoot it? I’ve got those same Pach’s on one of my Smith .357s, and they are very comfortable when shooting.


I’ve got a 2.5”, 4”, and 6” Python, and love those guns, they’re beautiful, with the action smooth as butter, and the triggers a work of art. The 2.5” is my favorite, it’s a 1964 vintage. Looks like yours is in great shape, enjoy!

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NRA Life Member

Thanks for the info, it was the original owner’s family that I bought it from and they said he never shot it (and it looks like it). I’m just curious to know what’s original and it sounds as if the walnut service stocks may be. Anyone have a mint set for sale?

Either way, it’s a wonderful revolver at a great price and I’ll enjoy it immensely.

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Mark

Nice purchase! I’d pull those Gripper and clean under them. The rubber can hold moisture and cause rust. I’d also have the dealer ask the family if they have any loose grips. They may have the originals and not realize it.

I don’t know which grips are correct for an ‘88 Python with a 2-1/2” barrel, but I’m pretty sure those aren’t it. I don’t know when they dropped the service stocks, but I suspect you need Grippers with gold Colt medallions. The longer barrel guns had Pachmayr Presentations with gold Colt medallions.

I’ve got a few 3rd series wood target grips, 1 or 2 of the Presentations with gold medallions, but I sold the only set of Python service stocks I ever owned a few years ago. IIRC, they brought over $200.

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"I also cook."

Wow good grab sir! As far as your feelings business is business no hard feels, but thats me...

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This is the way....

Yes, those are the ones, at least from the 2.5-inchers I've seen.

^^^what Borderboss said. These grips were also OED on the Official Police revolvers, the pre-Mark III guns. They should be out there. But please remove the Pachs as suggested above. Without maintenance, they DO allow moisture to collect and rust to form. Unless you live in the desert as I do, where moisture and rust are misdemeanors.

$2700? Holy cow! I recently passed up a minty nickel SAA on consignment in our range's pro shop @ $2500. I would have had to pay over $200 sales tax, intolerable for what should ideally be a F-t-F transaction.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Thanks to a forum member (thanks Steve), I have a beautiful set coming my way. They will look really sweet on the Python.

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Pass it on.
Mark

1963 Python, but have not shot it. Shouldn't have cleaned the cylinder, as it had 3 dirty chambers. Believe the thinner "police" grips were earlier models. Then the thicker wood grips and lastly the rubber grips. But am not an expert by any means. Got this one about 25 yrs ago for $450.

Attached Images

IMG_0187.JPG (124.7 KB, 36 views)

Whew, that's beautiful Zeke.

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Pass it on.
Mark

Beautiful gun at a reasonable price. In my mind, the 4 incher is high at $3600.
My son lives in Kalamazoo. I'm going to have to put him on point.

Opportunity was knocking but you must have been in the shower.

Ouch.

I'm not even a Python fan but I would have jumped on that like a starving dog on a pork chop.

And then turned around and sold it for a few good revolvers like a S&W or Ruger

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

Happy for you and the family. Well above what they paid. Sometimes things just were meant to be. Enjoy!

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Rather be outdoors

Those are correct for a 1988 python

The Colt/Pachmayrs did not come on to the scene until the 90s.

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"Acta non verba"