My dad was a S&W fan but there was that one other revolver

[JRB416]

My dad and uncles always had a huge positive influence on me. They all served in the military (WWII, Korea, Vietnam) and some had careers in law enforcement.

To a man they were Smith & Wesson revolver users and proponents. So naturally I gravitated towards Smiths and never looked back. But there was that one day many years ago when I was about 12 years old...

At a big flea market, many tables featured large selections of firearms. I didn't know very much back then but I loved to look and dream of what someday might be.

Dad didn't buy anything that day, but afterwards I had a lot of typical kid questions about what we had just seen. I don't remember any of the questions except for one...

I asked what handgun do you think is the best looking? He said he thought Colts Python was a good looking revolver. I've never forgot his answer and that's probably why I have a little bit of a soft spot for Pythons.

My dad passed when I was very young and he never saw a S&W 586 or 686 but I bet he would have liked them.

Here is my one Colt double action revolver I keep because I know he would approve. It was shipped in Sept. 1961.

 

[murphydog]

Cool gun and story, thanks for sharing.

My father served during the Korean War and was mildly interested in guns. He did treat himself to one of these in the mid-late 1970s, at the princely cost of $249. A model 14 at about that same time was $160.

 

[robvious]

my late father was a S&W wheelgun man too... but had that one C-word revolver... a mid 70's Agent... I am now the caretaker.. don't really enjoy shooting it, and have only done so once that I recall since dad passed.. it goes to my son someday..

 

[Golddollar]

I always thought the Python was a symbol of quality in the gun world. However, my less than robust paychecks kept me from acquiring one UNTIL the proprietor of a gun shop in NE Baltimore decided to retire and was making fantastic deals closing out. There it was, a nickeled 6" Colt Python. It didn't have the original grips, it didn't have a box, it didn't have a manual but I didn't care. It was a Python and the price was right so I bought it. When I lost my job in 2009 and had to sell guns and ammunition to stay afloat, it was one of the guns I kept, figuring I would never get another deal like that again.

The best memory I have of my Python was from an outdoor sporting exhibition that my club participated in. My club set up a falling steel target on the ground and some of us brought along guns and ammunition to allow spectators to try to shoot down the steel targets. Along came a family with a little boy. I don't think he was much bigger than my Python, and he wanted to try shooting at the steel target. I had brought along some .38 Special shells, and we found a set of eye and ear protection for the boy. With my hands I showed him what a sight picture should look like. I loaded the Python, put it in his hands and put my hands around his. We operated as a team. I would cock the Python and the boy would aim the gun and pull the trigger. The first shot went Bang. So I cocked the hammer again, the boy fired the Python and this time it went Bang CLANG. Now this was quite a few years ago but I'm sure there was a lot of cheering at this point.

That was a great day. The only thing that could top this off would be if I could run into that boy again now that he would be a grown young man.

 

[JRB416]

I always thought the Python was a symbol of quality in the gun world. However, my less than robust paychecks kept me from acquiring one UNTIL the proprietor of a gun shop in NE Baltimore decided to retire and was making fantastic deals closing out. There it was, a nickeled 6" Colt Python. It didn't have the original grips, it didn't have a box, it didn't have a manual but I didn't care. It was a Python and the price was right so I bought it. When I lost my job in 2009 and had to sell guns and ammunition to stay afloat, it was one of the guns I kept, figuring I would never get another deal like that again.

The best memory I have of my Python was from an outdoor sporting exhibition that my club participated in. My club set up a falling steel target on the ground and some of us brought along guns and ammunition to allow spectators to try to shoot down the steel targets. Along came a family with a little boy. I don't think he was much bigger than my Python, and he wanted to try shooting at the steel target. I had brought along some .38 Special shells, and we found a set of eye and ear protection for the boy. With my hands I showed him what a sight picture should look like. I loaded the Python, put it in his hands and put my hands around his. We operated as a team. I would cock the Python and the boy would aim the gun and pull the trigger. The first shot went Bang. So I cocked the hammer again, the boy fired the Python and this time it went Bang CLANG. Now this was quite a few years ago but I'm sure there was a lot of cheering at this point.

That was a great day. The only thing that could top this off would be if I could run into that boy again now that he would be a grown young man.

Great story. If this young man grew up to be an enthusiast I wonder if he has a nickeled Python? Thanks for sharing.

 

[JRB416]

Cool gun and story, thanks for sharing.

My father served during the Korean War and was mildly interested in guns. He did treat himself to one of these in the mid-late 1970s, at the princely cost of $249. A model 14 at about that same time was $160.

I think your father did well at $249. In gun shops I visited mid-late 70's when a new Python came in they were offered at a substantial premium over manufacturer suggested list prices. Same with the S&W model 29.

As a kid maybe those elevated prices were some of the mystical fascination to me.

 

[cd228]

We were an S&W house too, but we had two colts. A python and detective special.

 

[VaTom]

I am a S&W guy dating back to my days as an LEO carrying them. I have one Colt in my accumulation. A 1956 Colt Official Police that I bought at an estate auction in 2015 for $395 out the door. Apparently shot very little, tight as a drum, 99% finish. Everyone should have a nice vintage Colt if for nothing else to see, feel and experience the high quality craftsmanship of them.

 

[45Smashemflat]

My Dad was also S&W revolver man but also with that one Colt. It was a 2nd series Agent with the hammer shroud. He bought from my uncle, his brother, who was with the Highway Patrol. That revolver was “lost” at some point (I suspect a poker game was involved.). But I was always fascinated with it. I recently replaced it for those nostalgic reasons by placing a WTB ad here.

 

[murphydog]

I think your father did well at $249. In gun shops I visited mid-late 70's when a new Python came in they were offered at a substantial premium over manufacturer suggested list prices. Same with the S&W model 29.

As a kid maybe those elevated prices were some of the mystical fascination to me.

For those of you from southern CA, it was purchased at B & B Sales, a legendary shop. The store that LAPD ran to during the North Hollywood bank robbery to get ARs to use on the bad guys.

 

[glenwolde]

Cool gun and story, thanks for sharing.

My father served during the Korean War and was mildly interested in guns. He did treat himself to one of these in the mid-late 1970s, at the princely cost of $249. A model 14 at about that same time was $160.

That was a princely sum. In today's dollars that's $1383. (I picked $249 in June of 1976).

I bought a couple in the 80's but they were more like $350.

 

[rwsmith]

I got my.....

I got my Grandfather's/Father's Colt New Police in .38 S&W. It wil fire just fine, but is having a problem with a spring so I treat it as a wall hanger. Very nice to have, though.