Unique Python Re-Visited
This is a follow-up on a post listed 11 days ago regarding a 3" Python with unique features. At that time this was known. 1) 3" barrel 2) Elliason rear sight 3) hammer has all of the width to the left 4) stocks is like a 4" or 6" would have 5) mislocated Rampant Colt 6) six digit all numeral serial number.
Two weeks later and the plot thickens. I now believe the frame is a Official Police. The s/n falls within the range of a Official Police, the Rampant Colt is in the same location and the screws/frame pinning is in the same location as a Official Police. The s/n on the back side of the side plate matches the serial numbers in the other two locations. The frame has been altered to accept the Python stocks. The barrel appears to have been cut from a 4" Python barrel. The top of the frame has had major reconstruction (welding and machining) as well as the barrel slide. The gun has been re-finished (poorly by Python standards). The serial number (if Official Police) would date the gun 1948.
Why did someone go to all the work to reconstruct the top of the frame? Was this done by Colt or someone else? And why go to all the trouble to do so?
I have not seen a Official Police with the stocks and side plate removed. I've attached a photo. Any help with this puzzle is greatly appreciated.
Should the subject line read "Unique Official Police"?
Two weeks later and the plot thickens. I now believe the frame is a Official Police. The s/n falls within the range of a Official Police, the Rampant Colt is in the same location and the screws/frame pinning is in the same location as a Official Police. The s/n on the back side of the side plate matches the serial numbers in the other two locations. The frame has been altered to accept the Python stocks. The barrel appears to have been cut from a 4" Python barrel. The top of the frame has had major reconstruction (welding and machining) as well as the barrel slide. The gun has been re-finished (poorly by Python standards). The serial number (if Official Police) would date the gun 1948.
Why did someone go to all the work to reconstruct the top of the frame? Was this done by Colt or someone else? And why go to all the trouble to do so?
I have not seen a Official Police with the stocks and side plate removed. I've attached a photo. Any help with this puzzle is greatly appreciated.
Should the subject line read "Unique Official Police"?
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I have had extensive off-board discussions of this revolver with VE. It was my suggestion that the only explanation I could give is that a non-Python I-frame (probably an Official Police because the serial number is in the OP range and no other) was welded up to have a top strap that would match the barrel in the Python fashion. I cannot imagine why anyone would do that, but, then we gun nuts do strange things.
VE did not state the grip frame issue quite the way I see it. The tip of the front lower grip frame did not have to be cut off to accept the target stocks. Why that part is cut off is a mystery. The more puzzling thing about the frame is that is it the Pre-War style. (I believe a 1948 frame probably still would have the Pre-War style as well, as 1948 is sort of the end of the "clean-up" time frame for Colt to use up all the Pre-War parts still on hand, and get guns in production after WWII.) I checked several Pre-War I-frame Colts in my collection and all have the frame opening under the stocks shaped about like that shown in the picture. All Post-War I-frames (1950 and newer) in my collection have a perfectly round opening in the lower portion of the grip frame. No "real" Python should have a Pre-War frame, what with the model having been introduced in 1955.
I also think VE may be thinking there will be something unique about an Official Police frame. There is not. All I-frames are basically the same, except for the top strap on Pythons and the top strap on any I-frame with adjustable sights. This revolver, if it started as an OP, would have to have both the front and rear of the top strap extensively built up by welding to look like a Python. I cannot imagine such a thing, but, again, stranger things have been done. Maybe there was a junk Python frame for some reason (or a "hot" one) and someone put the whole top strap on an OP.
I had speculated that the serial number had been altered by adding a digit, but, when the side plate had the same number in a very original appearing fashion, I have to conclude the serial number has not been altered with the addition of a digit.
I have urged VE to send it to Colt for "decoding," since, if he asks for a letter on a Python with this number, Colt will say there are no six-digit-all-numeral Pythons. If he asks for a letter on an OP with the number on the gun, he WILL get a letter on an OP since undoubtedly there was likely an OP with this number. Whether that letter will give any clues remains to be seen. It might say something about a "work room" special or "prototype" or "in-house gun" or something else to indicate something unusual, or maybe nothing.
I have speculated (really far out, way out) that this revolver could be a Python prototype created in the OP serial range that somehow got out of Colt and has now been very poorly refinished and has had the barrel cut off to make it attractive as a "rare" 3-inch Python. This almost seems more likely than a welded and intricately reshaped top strap.
I, for one, anxiously await learing what VE finds out from Colt, if anything.0 -
"I have speculated (really far out, way out) that this revolver could be a Python prototype created in the OP serial range that somehow got out of Colt....."
Judge, my father worked at Colt for a number of years, and you'd be surprised at the number of things that "got out" of there.
At one time, various Colts in the Hartford area without serial #s probably outnumbered ones that had them. They were referred to locally as "Ham Sandwiches", 'cause they spent so much time in lunch buckets.
[:D]0 -
Xracer, I know that side of the story, but this bastard child has a serial number, it is just that it is an Official Police serial number, yet the frame is Pre-War (or very early Post-War -1948 in this case) in the butt and Python (1955 or later) in the top strap. No lunch bucket special could have this combination, especially with a serial number, could it? 0 -
Hi Guys;
Have read the posts with interest. It sounds to me that
someone has gone to alot of trouble "ASSEMBLE" a three inch Python.
I like, Judge Colt, find it hard to believe Colt would base a proto
type on a OP frame. I have another question. Is this thing firing .357
mags?????? I would be very concerned about full magnum loads through
it unless and until it was checked for voids within the welds and hardness
checked for proper heat treatment. I have seen some very skillful assembled guns and a lot that only had that appearence. I would, before in attempt to fire it,
have it X-RAYED and or magnafluxed to varify the absent of inclusions,voids, and
welding debri left from the welding process. I'll be watching to see whay you find out.0 -
It was also common to put a Python barrel on a "Trooper" which was the identicle action/frame to the Python. In fact the old Trooper in .357 was called " A poor mans Python" by a lot of us shooters. I made at least one back in the 70's. The Trooper had adjustable sights. A thought. 0 -
Python, I do not find it unlikely that a Python prototype was made with an Official Police frame, I find it unusual that it got out if it is an original prototype. Since all I-frames probably originate from the same forgings, the only difference would be machine finishing. Welding on the top strap to flatten the top strap would not affect the safety of the revolver to any degree. The firing pressures are contained within the cylinder, which may or may not be an original Magnum cylinder. That would concern me more than welding on the top strap.
Darrel, putting a Python barrel on an I-frame can easily be done, but the top strap on a revolver originally configured for a round barrel will not match up with the rib on the Python barrel, leaving a large gap and dip. This revolver with an apparent OP serial number does not have that gap and dip.0 -
If you ever get this mystery gun identified, please come back and let us know. 0 -
I remember seeing an article in one of the larger gun magazines back in the mid-70's describing the conversion Darrel talks about with the Trooper. It was supposed to be a way to "build" a Python on a budget. It even showed where the steel had to be built up for the barrel to match the frame. A fixed sighted OP however, for the same type of thing....that's a bit mind boggling. 0 -
While age has caused me to have trouble remembering what I had for breakfast, I have been reading the major gun magazines since the 1950s, and never remember seeing an article about converting a Trooper into a Python. I do recall several articles where a Python barrels was put on a Smith & Wesson. Can anyone give a cite to the article mentioned? 0 -
vipereater,
I have an old catalog from Trapper Gun,Inc that lists your conversion for the old style Colt Trooper. If Trapper did your gun
it must have been refinished my someone other than he. All of his refinish work at that time was second to none. I had several of my guns converted and refinished by him. If I can be of more help, please feel free to e-mail at PDF.44@prodigy.net I have more of this story to share.
Paul0
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