Colt Python prices..wow...

[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)

 

[DWalt]

"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."

Many may know that the Colt Python uses essentially the same frame as the .357, the earlier Troopers, the Official Police, several versions of the Officer's Model target revolvers, and the Army Special. The only real difference is that .357 caliber revolvers have the firing pin in the frame, but others have the firing pin on the hammer. The Colt frame is slightly larger and heavier than the corresponding S&W K-frame.

 

[bc1023]

I bought a bunch before they went nuts.

 

[VaTom]

"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."

The Colt frame is slightly larger and heavier than the corresponding S&W K-frame.

Yes, when shooting the Model 10 and the Colt Official Police side by side, you can tell the Colt has a bit less recoil due to larger - heavier frame.

 

[stykshooter]

I worked off duty in a gun shop during the '80's. Once the semi automatic craze started, any revolver could be had for a great price. I bought and sold several Pythons, Diamondback and Troopers. Only one I wish I still had was a .22 4" diamondback.

A friend of mine recently decided to sell his 6" Python complete with box and two sets of grips. Beautiful gun. I rode with him to the gun shop and in no time he had a new GP-100 and $2,400.00 in cash. The shop owner made a phone call and had a buyer in for the Python before we left. Crazy...

 

[ladder13]

I bought a bunch before they went nuts.

Coltguard or Electroless Nickel on the bottom 4 and 6 inch?

 

[bc1023]

Coltguard or Electroless Nickel on the bottom 4 and 6 inch?

Yes, the 6" is E Nickel.

The 4" is a stainless Python Elite built long after the E Nickel days.

 

[bc1023]

...I'd like to find a nice prewar Officer's Model...the best of Colt...without all the bling factor and hype of the Python...

Yeah, I've got an Officer's Model Heavy Barrel in 32 Colt from 1939. Its probably about the finest DA revolver Colt ever built. They are extremely nice guns.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

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

Fussy Farrant wood...

Herrett's grips...

Original grips...

A local gun shop has a condignment 4" blued Python for sale wearing Farrant grips just like yours but i think with the screw plug intact. In fact, I found a pair of same type Farrants in their parts box missing the screw plug. I forgot the price of that Python but it was way up there. But prices are higher here in CA. anyway.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Bought years ago new, fired about 12 rounds through it, cleaned it thoroughly, and put it away. Money in the bank.

John

 

[PatriotX]

Bought years ago new, fired about 12 rounds through it, cleaned it thoroughly, and put it away. Money in the bank.

John

Let's see. A 1991 python was ~800, which would have bought about 40 shares of Microsoft at the 1991 IPO.


After 9 splits, selling at the price peak, that would have been in the neighborhood of half a million dollars.


They're pretty, but let's not get crazy here.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

A local gun shop has a condignment 4" blued Python for sale wearing Farrant grips just like yours but i think with the screw plug intact. In fact, I found a pair of same type Farrants in their parts box missing the screw plug. I forgot the price of that Python but it was way up there. But prices are higher here in CA. anyway.

I think you are speaking of the wood plug on one grip panel? If so, it is intact but on the right side grip. Screw goes in on left panel...hidden on right side.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I think you are speaking of the wood plug on one grip panel? If so, it is intact but on the right side grip. Screw goes in on left panel...hidden on right side.

Gotcha. The Farrants I had were for a K frame. That missing plug was a big deal when i sold them. If I wasn't left handed I would have kept them. Those sure look great on your Python. A classic gun with classic grips.

 

[Bob R]

I picked this one up for my wife about 20 years ago, it mainly sits in the safe. For what I paid for it I could probably quadruple my money (or better) at this time. She wants to hold onto it so that is what I do.

bob

 

[Semper Fi 57]

A year or so ago, I think I heard something about a gun co., Italian, I
believe, that was going to make the Python again. Anyone know anything?

Jim

 

[sailor723]

I bought this 1975 Nickle Python a few months ago. I paid $3,000CAD so right about $2300US at today's rate.

 

[sailor723]

A year or so ago, I think I heard something about a gun co., Italian, I
believe, that was going to make the Python again. Anyone know anything?

Jim

That was Pietta. They actually displayed a prototype at some of the industry shows. Since then it's been radio silence and a Pietta dealer here in Canada told me they told him the project has been shelved "indefinitely" . No word on why although I did read something that said Colt had threatened them with trademark infringement.

Here is a link to the thread that was on this Forum

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/426428-pietta-python.html

 

[Road Rat]

I only have the one.....but, I didn't buy it to "collect"...love to shoot it!! Two pound trigger...........sweet.......