Value/D.O.M. verify of Colt Python
I picked a 4" nickel Python at a gun show on Saturday. The serial# is T2612x. The seller said that is was made in 1976. I asked about it on the Colt Forum and a gentleman responded that it was made in 1983. Can someone tell me which is it? I also wonder what it's approxiamte value is. It around 95% to 98%. Very clean, tight gun. I am starting to branch out from autos and I bought this gun to replace a 6" python that was stolen a few years ago. Any help in educating this revolver ignorant guy is greatly appreciated.[:D]
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How do I go about obtaining an owners manual for this gun? E-bay? Call Colt? 0 -
How do I go about obtaining an owners manual for this gun? E-bay? Call Colt? 0 -
I am far from the Gun Broker resident Colt expert (where are JudgeColt and Ranchero Paul?) but I'd say that your Python was produced in late 1983. I happen to like nickeled Colts myself, but I am in the minority as most Colt Python guys LOVE the Royal Blue and dislike nickel. As a result, no matter what most of the price guides say, your pistol may have a slightly lesser value than an equivalent blued example...unless you find the right buyer. If the pistol were NIB the nickel would bring a premium, in used condition it plays little factor in value, although it did cost extra from the factory. I looked through about four issues of Gun List and see 4" nickel Pythons selling any where from $595 (excellent condition) to $895 (99+% w/box and papers). I'd figure somewhere near $700, unless your pistol is really outstanding with the box and all of the factory papers.
Mark T. Christian0 -
I can see that your need for a manual would indicate you do not have the papers to go with the pistol. Contact Colt, they will send you (free of charge) a current edition of whatever Python manual is in print.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Very little could be added to Mark's replies.........Now if Mark could just teach me a thing or two about M-1 Garands.........I might look at getting one! Hahahahahaha!
Contrary to what you may have been told, "Green Jello is a Side Dish, NOT Dessert!"0 -
Thank you for your answers gentlemen! I have been an auto fan and have recently caught the revolver bug. I am very interested in Colt Pythons. I owned a new 6" nickel c. 1976 that was stolen years ago. This one caught my eye at a gun show. I haven't seen very many for sale and certainly none that looked a good as this one. Due to my inexperience since I usually buy new (mostly Sigs and Walthers) I probably paid too much. I didn't plan on making a used revolver buy so I did zero research. I paid $800 for this one. I keep taking it out of the safe and looking at. I definitely want another! I just ordered R.L. Wilson's "Colt: An American Ledgend" so I can educate myself. Thanks again for the responses. 0 -
Mr. Christian is far too modest about his knowlege of Colts, and he is spot on about this one. I see Pythons bringing what I consider high dollars on GunBroker. The right buyers seem to pay more for nickel. Many have sold in that $800 range, some for less and some for more. Remember, new Pythons are over $1100, so that raises the used ones.
I hate to disappoint the poster, but the "American Legand" will not provide much real information, although the serial number charts in the back will answer questions about the age of guns built prior to its publication date. The pictures are beautiful but the substance is light.
The "Book of Colt Firearms" (1970) by Wilson and Sutherland is the "Bible," but it does not have much on newer guns either. It also contains some errors, but nothing too serious. It will make you want the older guns with all their neat early features, many of which are only pictured and not mentioned.0 -
Hey Judge Colt,
The serial# chart and the pictures are the main reasons for buying this book. What other books can tell me the difference between the 50's, 60's, 70's, etc Pythons?0 -
BOS, I cannot think of any book that will answer your questions about the differences in Pythons throughout their production history. I do not believe there is one. A Colt catalog collection would show some visual distinctions, but things like the hollow lug on early guns will not be apparent from those catalogs. Rear sight distinctions are not all readily apparent from the catalogs. Stock distinctions are. Perhaps someone has written an article for the Colt collectors' association or the like, but I am not aware of it.
I suggest you just look carefully at each Python you see and eventually you will become aware of all the differences. It may take quite a while since the early guns are scarce and not often seen for sale.
Without covering all the distinctions, some obvious ones are:
Early guns have "flat" rear sight bosses, with no "hump" around the elevation screw.
Early guns have a higher rib and a shorter front sight blade.
Early guns have a hollow lug.
Early guns have full-checkered stocks, followed by stocks where the checkering pattern wraps up half way around the medallion, followed by stocks where the checkering pattern has a straight-line cutoff below the medallion, followed by rubber, followed by laminated wood.
Early guns have no prefix on the serial number.
Early guns have better quality.
I hope this helps. If it affects you like it does me, it removes most interest in later guns.0
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