old python vs. newer python
which pythons are worth the most and most collectible.
older ones with wood grips or newer ones with rubber grips?
older ones with wood grips or newer ones with rubber grips?
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let me rephrase some people refer to the pythons with factory wood grips as vintage what is the diff. if any...quote:
Is this a trick question?
Rule #2: Always trade up.0 -
Perhaps it is not a trick question due to the high price of new Pythons. The list price on new Pythons is $1,150, which is probably one thing that is pulling up the value of used Pythons so much lately. Still, many used Pythons can be bought for well under that.
In my opinion, the price curve for newer to older is kind of a reverse bell curve. Prices dip behind current new and then start to rise as one goes back in age. Pythons have been made for almost 50 years now and there are a lot of used ones available in all conditions. I value my low three-digit, first-year Python higher than new, but I am not sure that its market value is a lot more than new list. I see Pythons on the auction site not meeting reserves with bids in the $600 range, but some also selling in the $600 range. There was one recently that went for over $1,000, but I cannot recall the particualrs. (I do recall it was a fairly recent [relative term to an old guy - maybe ten years old or so] NIB and may have been a scarce finish and/or barrel length.)
To a collector, the older, the higher the value. A shooter buying a new Python will pay more than most of the used Pythons on the market. I cannot predict the long-term effect the higher price of new Pythons will have on the used market as the new Pythons age.0 -
I began composing my response before zeus337 clarified the question.
There are many differences for the first to the latest, besides the stock material. (If you are a Colt person, you need to start calling the grips by the term "stocks!")
Very early Pythons had a higher rib and shorter front sight. The underlug was hollow. The earliest wood stocks were fully checkered all the way to the top, and are very valuable accessories. The next variation had the checkering going up about half way around the medaillion. The next variation had the checkering stopping in a straight line below the medallion. The switch to rubber was the next step. I think there have been some differing styles of rubber as well, but cannot give the details to you without doing some research.
By the way zuess337, there is a shift key on you keyboard that allows a typist to use upper case letters at the beginning of sentences, and for proper names and the like. Try it, you might like it, and it will make your posts a lot easier to read.0 -
A "shift" key eh, well aint that a Hoot! 
Thanks for your help on my Q.quote:
I began composing my response before zeus337 clarified the question.
There are many differences for the first to the latest, besides the stock material. (If you are a Colt person, you need to start calling the grips by the term "stocks!")
Very early Pythons had a higher rib and shorter front sight. The underlug was hollow. The earliest wood stocks were fully checkered all the way to the top, and are very valuable accessories. The next variation had the checkering going up about half way around the medaillion. The next variation had the checkering stopping in a straight line below the medallion. The switch to rubber was the next step. I think there have been some differing styles of rubber as well, but cannot give the details to you without doing some research.
By the way zuess337, there is a shift key on you keyboard that allows a typist to use upper case letters at the beginning of sentences, and for proper names and the like. Try it, you might like it, and it will make your posts a lot easier to read.0 -
JudgeColt,
Let me ask you this, I am getting ready to trade for a Python with wood stocks and am going to trade either a NEW stainless Colt 1991A1 Commander {some call it compact} or a NEW stainless Smith & Wesson Tactical 4056tsw. I am a collector and was not sure which one IF ANY I should trade for the PYTHON, which as a beat up box, no papers and looks NEW (not sure if it is)
Thanks.
Zeus3370 -
Maybe Zeus337 is related to e e cummings.
I have and have had several Pythons of various ages and I believe the older Pythons have better workmanship. The trigger pull on an older Python feels much smoother than a more recent production model. All are NIB conditions so wear due to usage is not a factor.0 -
zeus337, I am not sure how to answer your trade question. As I stated, the Python market value depends a lot on the age of the gun. Saying it has wood stocks (good job on learning the Colt lingo!) does not help identify its age. Very early Pythons are worth more than the two trade pieces, especially with an original box, but later ones are probably worth about the same. Early Python boxes will bring over $100 on eBay, some over $200. If you are dealing on a styrofoam-insert boxed Python, the box value is not near so high, especially in poor condition.
Without knowing more, I speculate that the relative values of all three are about the same, with the M1991A1 being worth the least. For long-term collector value, I put my money on the Python.0 -
thanks and it is a styrofoam insert box missing one piece of styrofoamquote:
zeus337, I am not sure how to answer your trade question. As I stated, the Python market value depends a lot on the age of the gun. Saying it has wood stocks (good job on learning the Colt lingo!) does not help identify its age. Very early Pythons are worth more than the two trade pieces, especially with an original box, but later ones are probably worth about the same. Early Python boxes will bring over $100 on eBay, some over $200. If you are dealing on a styrofoam-insert boxed Python, the box value is not near so high, especially in poor condition.
Without knowing more, I speculate that the relative values of all three are about the same, with the M1991A1 being worth the least. For long-term collector value, I put my money on the Python.0
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