Why do Colt snakes sell for so much more than comparable S&W's

[4x4moses]

In 1982, a bought a brand new Colt Python, .357 Magnum, for $475.00 (nearly half my monthly Police salary, at the time). It was, without a doubt, the smoothest "out-of-the-box" revolver I have ever owned. However, I never liked the "pull-back" cylinder release, and always stressed over rust issues with the blued steel. I eventually bought a S&W 66-2 for use on duty, and still have that gun today. The Colt was sold for a pitance (needed quick cash), and I feel stupid today when I see used Pythons selling for $1,000.00 or more. On the plus side, I have a S&W 36 that's like new, and worth three times what it sold for in 1982.

Bottom line, I wish I still had the Colt Python, more for sentimental reasons than anything else. I WILL NEVER SELL MY 66-2! It is as fine a weapon today as the day I took it out of the box!

 

[Joewisc]

I see a fair number of Colts at pawn shops and they sit in the case a long time, especially the so-called "police specials." My gunsmith has been around since Moses was in short pants and he's a S&W revolver guy, owns just about every one and has no Colts. When I asked him why, he said they have twice as many parts, which means twice the trouble fixing them. Plus, CAS is mostly Smith these days for a reason. They stand up better than Colts.

 

[gdogs]

Never owned a Python and probably never will... unless I just happen to run across one on the cheap. That said, I've got a few older Colts and I love them. Most are reworked target guns, a couple of Kings, a couple of Micro customs, and this one that I just picked up at a recent show. There are some really good deals to be had in the Official Police, Army Special, and Officers Models right now. Lots of room for appreciation in my opinion. I tend to go for period correct custom pieces, so this chopped Official Police was right up my alley. $275 out the door, I'm quite pleased. It came with the Herrett's in the first picture, but they seemed too big for such a small package, so I swapped them with some Ajax pearls that I had laying around. I see some bone or stag grips with a Tyler T in its future.

 

[big_gus]

Answer is very simple as stated before- supply and espcially demand makes the collecting world go round. Actually Colt was still producing DA Revolvers after Smith went to the Lock, just in small numbers from the Custom Shop. Actually they sold Pythons as little as 7 years ago, granted it was kinda hard to get one. I bid a Consecutive SN# set of NIB Pythons (not engraved or any provenance but really special) made in the 2004-2005 era to $16,000 about 8 months ago or so on GB and was prepared to go a little higher at the end but it blew up on me the last 30 minutes. They went a few bucks shy of 25k with all the major players in on them. I was prepared to cash in my stuff at the bank but couldnt go that high. I would not have the confidence to put that much money into anything thing else right now. Those same two if brought back up today, in such a short time, would go north of 30k without a doubt... I have sold some NIB snakes for good money and thought I was doing great, but the theme is always the same latey...Now I wish I could buy them back for what I sold them for. Some people are coming into the gun collecting market for investment potential since the banks pay nothing on CDs and the stock market is a gamble at best these days. They are investing mainly in NIB Colts and high grade old Winchesters because most say this is the best place to put their money for gains/security and I have to agree. This is driving the price up on us who actually love our guns . I love Smith Revolvers, they were what I was raised on mainly, but I have never had any guns appreciate like my Snakes. Pre-war Colts and Smiths are a bargain compared to the Snakes now imo.