I posted this topic yesterday over on the Colt Forum but received no replies. Thought I'd probably have better luck here.
What do you folks think I have here? I'm selling off grips that I no longer need. I want to sell these, but want to be sure I represent them honestly.
I bought them maybe 15 ~ 20 years ago to put on a Three Fifty-Seven. I was disappointed when I learned that for the 3-5-7 the medallions should be silver, and wound up putting them aside. When I came across them again recently, thinking to sell, I initially thought they were Python service grips, and likely worth a coupla hundred bucks.
Looking at them more carefully, however, I think someone cobbled them together from different/various contemporary grips in an effort to make them look like factory original Python service grips.
• It looks to me like the two grip panels show different wear, with the one on the left showing worn checking and faded color in comparison to the one on the right
• The medallions appear to be glued into place. I don't think factory installed medallions were glued.
I think the back of the medallions should be all metal, either lightly hammered or pressed into place, like these from a 1958 Detective Special:
• I do think the medallions are factory original, but would appreciate comments on that as well:
What say you? Do you agree with my analysis that these are not factory original Colt Python service grips? If so, do you further agree that the parts are all factory original?
What do you folks think I have here? I'm selling off grips that I no longer need. I want to sell these, but want to be sure I represent them honestly.
I bought them maybe 15 ~ 20 years ago to put on a Three Fifty-Seven. I was disappointed when I learned that for the 3-5-7 the medallions should be silver, and wound up putting them aside. When I came across them again recently, thinking to sell, I initially thought they were Python service grips, and likely worth a coupla hundred bucks.
Looking at them more carefully, however, I think someone cobbled them together from different/various contemporary grips in an effort to make them look like factory original Python service grips.
• It looks to me like the two grip panels show different wear, with the one on the left showing worn checking and faded color in comparison to the one on the right
• The medallions appear to be glued into place. I don't think factory installed medallions were glued.
I think the back of the medallions should be all metal, either lightly hammered or pressed into place, like these from a 1958 Detective Special:
• I do think the medallions are factory original, but would appreciate comments on that as well:
What say you? Do you agree with my analysis that these are not factory original Colt Python service grips? If so, do you further agree that the parts are all factory original?
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