Colt Python prices..wow...

[sailor723]

I don't think Colt resuming Python production would have that great an impact on pricing. It seems to me collectors would continue to favour the "classic" guns vs modern production.

 

[DWalt]

never understood why they made such a refined revolver and put grips on em that look like plywood

??? I never did see any Python or .357 with grips that looked like plywood. A high-condition pair of first generation full checkered grips used on the earlier Pythons (up until about 1960) will bring a very handsome price today. Even the second generation grips can easily bring $200-$300 or even more from the right buyer. Not long ago I found a pair of second generation grips with a slight defect for $125 and I was elated.

 

[DocB]

I sure don't have a Python. Never even saw one out for sale back then. This 1968 Colt came up back in the early 1980's. It was about like new. I was impressed so bought it for $200 OTD. That's about as far as I'm willing to go for a Colt, but it is still really pretty. It's one of the last Official Police models that somebody apparently owned for around 15 years and cut loose. I don't think I've ever even shot it.

 

[31FordA]

I never owned a Python, and with what they're going for never will. The one's I've shot were very nice, but I still prefer my Model 28's. I've owned a few Colt's over the years (Police Positive, Trooper III, Detective Special), but the only one I have at present is a 1895 Navy. The only Colt snake gun I ever really wanted was a 4" Diamondback, and that was from watching the John Wayne film "Brannigan" as a kid. Don't think I'll be getting one however, the last few I saw for sale were going for $3,000+.

 

[HARDWARE]

??? I never did see any Python or .357 with grips that looked like plywood. A high-condition pair of first generation full checkered grips used on the earlier Pythons (up until about 1960) will bring a very handsome price today. Even the second generation grips can easily bring $200-$300 or even more from the right buyer. Not long ago I found a pair of second generation grips with a slight defect for $125 and I was elated.

That was a bit of hyperbole...of course it's not plywood. Python grips look very plain and I don't even know what they're made of. ..but some dark walnut would have been much more appropriate in my opinion.

 

[gman51]

Pythons are like dirt.........neither are being made anymore.
I bought a 1968 Python 4" and IMO it lives up to the hype about it.

I also bought a Colt Trooper MKV 6" which supposedly has never been shot other than by the factory. The MK V was only made for about 4 years and it then became the King Cobra and the base gun for the Boa.

The LGS I use has a LNIB never shot Python and I believe it has a price tag of around $12,000.

I didn't pay near that for mine and wouldn't have it if it had required a home loan to own it.

 

[iPac]

I will openly admit to being a gun snob, but not in a bad way like condoning people for their own preference. I am more a gun snob in the sense that I am very critical on what revolver designs I will own and use.

The Colt V spring action is about the only thing that tickles my fancy. Why? I have always had an engineers mind, and the pocketwatch like intricacy of the Colt action is truly a marvel of design. There is no other action that you can custom tune/tweak to make however you want quite like a Colt V spring. Eliminate the stacking, and I would bet more than one of you would be amazed.

I don't condone the current prices, never have. No reason for it, but everyone sure seems happy to pay them so they exist. However, it is changing daily for the better, and will continue.

Instead of defending the 'weak' Colt action in my normal way, I have a different theory now. Some had experiences that make them think Colt is inferior, others like me had experiences that make them think S&W is inferior, who is right? When it comes to the stronger action design, I think they are both about equal. I don't think that the Colt V spring is inherently weaker, but rather a result from the final hand fitting.

Colt and S&W revolvers are tough shooters that I believe will BOTH last a life time if properly maintained. Properly maintained being the key word. If you get a shotty built gun from the factory, it's not going to last long right? Or if you don't keep your gun properly maintained and in spec, it's not going to last long right?

Based on my experience working on the V spring, almost every single Colt I have come across benefited from me tuning it up and putting it back into spec. Considering this V spring design is all hand fitted parts, they probably all didn't leave the factory perfectly 'built'. Think of the Python, considered a custom built production gun. They surely didn't have the time to perfectly tune them, which they NEED. That is why after the '60s, quality started dropping because the era of hand fitting master smiths was winding down, but the design still called for hand fitting.

So maybe that plays a role in folk's experiences. I know all of my properly tuned Colts are reliable, accurate, and tough as nails. All of my properly tuned Smiths are reliable, accurate, and tough as nails. They are on a more level playing field than most would think. Of course folks will always have their own personal preferences, that won't change. So enjoy what you like, but don't shy away from a Colt because internet lore. You may just end up liking it.

 

[Toblerra]

I don't think Colt resuming Python production would have that great an impact on pricing. It seems to me collectors would continue to favour the "classic" guns vs modern production.

You may be right.

 

[Toblerra]

The Cabela's up near Madison, WI must have bought someone's collection. Several cases with Colt snake revolvers and semi autos too I think. Beautiful guns that to me looked unfired or at least very well cared for. Not a collector of any brand myself but they are fine looking guns. I couldn't tell you the prices exactly because I was more interested in looking at the guns. I do know the prices were waaaaay above my budget. And I have what I want with the S&W logo on them.

I always think of my dad when I think Colt. He worked for a company that was part of the Colt Industries family. At one point he asked me if I had any interest in any Colts saying he might have the ability to get a discount. We are talking the early 1980's. I was new on the PD and we carried Smith model 19's so I told him no. Just getting started about that time and even at a discount I couldn't justify laying out the cash for something that wasn't a necessity. Ah well, woulda coulda shoulda...

Those model 19's are fetching some pretty high prices these days too. Fact is all of these classics are being rediscovered I think. The craftsmanship just isn't what it used to be, maybe it's nostalgia as well but honestly there's just no comparison to the run of the mill polymer handguns out there. They have their purpose I have owned several myself. I know this, it wasn't until a couple years ago my father and I were out shooting and I was frustrated shooting my autos that day and he pulled out his old 6" model 19 I had all but forgotten about and said "try this instead." So I set my Colt commander aside, picked it up and nailed the target right in the center on the first shot. Second shot was right next to it. I realized right then and there that all the rounds in the world mean nothing if you can't hit **** with them. Of course I still have my custom Colt .45 and my browning hi power but I got rid of all my polymers and bought smiths! Now I hit what I'm aiming at most of the time and have rediscovered a new appreciation for revolvers in general especially the older smiths. I think in time more younger guys my age will realize the same thing.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I don't think Colt resuming Python production would have that great an impact on pricing. It seems to me collectors would continue to favour the "classic" guns vs modern production.

Based on all the LNIB and ANIB old Pythons for sale, it seems like back in the day a lot of folks bought Pythons to keep and not to shoot.

I doubt many folks would spend big bucks today to buy a new Python that they would not shoot.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

This one sat in a pawn shop for a couple years beforen I got it. My wife said, "Just put it on layaway.". A sentence I never heard from her before or since (Thanks, Babe!). It was 1999 and price was $475. I passed on it all that time because I don't like stainless. But was surprised to find it's the rarer Electroless nickel/Coltguard. Scarce finish but it doeesn't seem to reflect in today's value and prices. It came with Pachs. but I found those grips on Craigs list for twenty five bucks a few years ago. The only Python I ever owned and at the time I ever even handled before.

 

[lifesizepotato]

The immediate predecessor to the Python was the Colt ".357." It was Colt's first venture into the .357 Magnum market. Pretty much identical to the Colt Python and built on exactly the same frame but with a plain barrel. Not very many of them were made, but those out there can usually be found at a considerably lower price, often in the $1000 range, depending upon condition. Some say the ".357" was not as well made or finished as the later Python. To which I say pure BS. They are every bit as good in every respect.

Yeah, I have a 3-5-7 and '59 Python and honestly it would be hard to pick which I prefer. The 3-5-7 just has that more vintage, Old World look to it that I really dig, and plus the hipster in me likes that it's a little more underground.

 

[GF]

I know the OP and several posters are referring to early Python revolvers bringing five figure sums for ANIB revolvers, but all I have for reference are much later examples.
I don't see the early ones at gun shows I frequent but ones made from the 70's forward are seen in good to better condition starting at around $2000 -$2500.
I think "the bloom is off the rose" for Python revolvers that are not early or high condition guns.
As are S&W revolvers for that matter.

I do think this gun was well bought at a fair price ...http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/508960-sold-doc44-colt-python-1966-box-target.html

I'm on the low end of collecting or accumulating firearms as far as "pre war" or anything early goes but I do like what everyone else does. I find ones I can afford in the best condition I can.

$4000 bought 2 Pythons and a 19-3 off an individual, I'll admit the deal was over a year ago.

GF

 

[cmansguns]

For me it is somewhat mixed, I started after Colts even back in 1968 and was really rocking and rolling for a little while. Then of course come the kids, the houses, the car, the groceries and on and on into the colleges, the marriages, etc. You all know the drill.

Now I get past most all of that and time to again enjoy but strange (to me) the Colts have just exploded out of sight....and this during a recession too!

On a job in Texas several years ago and a new friend made on site, told me he was bidding that evening on a documented genuine Colt Walker..I didn't even know what a Colt Walker was at the time (so much for big deal Colt collector). Anyway next morning he announced he had won it.....at $47,000 not including buyers premium!

That did it for me in a way, knowing I liked S & W just as well and folks seemingly had not lost their heads yet, so I started selling off the Colts I had, see below pics the Python $2,650, the 38 OMM $1,100, the .22 OMM with box & docs $1,200, the 1944 1911A1 $2,600. I'm not bragging...I just felt that I would never had paid that much and I now have so many more S&W's that I really do enjoy shooting, and collecting I'm not even looking back, but I do feel that like some other posters...this ride probably will slow down if not come to a stop soon as that is an awful lot of bucks to shell out for nostalgia.

I do still have several Colts in the stable but whenever I see a S&W that I can get drooling over...the Colts are headed to Armslist.

 

[silentflyer]

I saw a Python at a gun show last year that was a .41 magnum, supposedly one of less than 100 built. I have read several things pro-con if they are real. I have read that they were originally .38 specials that were sent back to the factory and re-barrelled to .41 mag and the cylinders bored out. Anyway they had 17,000$ on it with wooden box,papers etc.
I will stick to my Model 57 myself...

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I still shoot this one at times but never carry it these days.

Fussy Farrant wood...

Herrett's grips...

Original grips...

 

[muzzleblast]

I'm a fan.

 

[sircharlesdk]

??? I never did see any Python or .357 with grips that looked like plywood. A high-condition pair of first generation full checkered grips used on the earlier Pythons (up until about 1960) will bring a very handsome price today. Even the second generation grips can easily bring $200-$300 or even more from the right buyer. Not long ago I found a pair of second generation grips with a slight defect for $125 and I was elated.

Mine has these custom shop grips on it. They were made in India for Colt.

 

[gunguy56]

I bought a .22 Diamondback at K-Mart i(they called it S.S.Kresge in those days) in 1969 for $125..then a blue 4" Python from a LGS in 1969 for $200..and then a 6" nickle Python in 1975 from the same LGS for $300..In 1975 I bought a blue 3.5" S&W model 27 for around $125..over the years I sold or traded them off...the only one that I would want back is the model 27...

 

[VaTom]

I agree with IPacs post about S&W and Colt revolvers being tough as nails. Colt and S&W revolvers dominated the law enforcement market for most of the 20th century and had about equal shares. No one is tougher on a revolver than a police officer carrying daily. S&W began to gain the bigger market share in the 1960's and eventually surpassed Colt mainly because of cost (Colt's cost more to produce) and the double action trigger on the S&W was better for combat shooting qualifications. Colt ended production of the Colt Official Police in 1969.

If you can't afford a Python but want that smooth Colt action and quality at a reasonable price, find a nice Colt Official Police.

Here are pictures of probably the most used police revolvers of the 20th century. 1956 Colt Official Police and a 1979 S&W Model 10-7 in nickel. (I carried a nickel S&W Model 10-7 during my career in the 1970's-early 1980's)