Colt Python Serial Numbers
The Colt Diamondback is a revolver manufactured by Colt s Manufacturing Company of Diamondback Serial Numbers Colt Diamondback; Colt King Cobra; Colt Python;.
The serial number is stamped in three places on modern Colt s, including the Python:
On the frame just below the barrel. You have to swing out the cylinder to see it.
On the cylinder crane. This is the part that holds the cylinder on the frame. The number is stamped exactly opposite the frame number.
Swing out the cylinder and you can see both the frame and crane stamps.
Inside the side plate. You have to remove the side plate DON T REMOVE THE SIDE PLATE. It s too easy to damage it.
The Colt Python is a. 357 Magnum caliber revolver formerly manufactured by Colt s Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut. Colt Python Serial Numbers;.
The Colt Python was first introduced in 1955 as Colt s top-of-the-line model. The gun pictured here was made in 1962. Pythons produced from 1955 to 1969 have no.
Python Model : Year: Serial Number: 1955: 1: 1956: 300: 1957: 1650: 1958: 5550: 1959: 7050: 1960: 9100: 1961: 13100: 1962: 18800: 1963: 24800: 1964: 30800: 1965.
THE COLT PYTHON I FRAME. In the history of modern double action American handguns, the Colt Python revolver stands above all others. It was born in the mid.
colt python serial numbers
The Colt Python is a. 357 Magnum caliber revolver manufactured by Colt s Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The Colt Python is considered to be a premium.
This is not a comprehensive database. If your firearm serial number is not listed, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-962-COLT 2658 for more assistance.
A HISTORY OF LEGENDARY AMERICAN EXCELLENCE
In the history of modern double action American handguns,
the Colt Python revolver stands above all others.
It was born in the mid-1950 s in a post-war era in which
quality was already starting to fall from the heights that American gun making
had attained in the 1930 s and 40 s.
Going against the grain of fast, mass production firearms
made of stamped and fabricated parts and Space Age plastics and
aluminum, the Python was intended to be the finest revolver ever made in
America, and it met that goal.
At the time, the finest double action revolvers made were
the Colt Officer s Model Match target revolver and the Smith Wesson Model
27 Magnum.Each was the top quality
revolver made by the respective companies.
In the mid-1950 s the Colt Officer s Model Match was the
latest in a long series of Colt Officer s Model target revolvers.These were intended to be the most accurate
and high quality double action revolver made and in the day when the double
action revolver was King of the pistol matches, the Colt held all the records.
Colt s top West Coast salesman at that time was Bill
Henry.In 1953 he was convinced that
Colt should make a new Super target revolver that would outclass
anything ever conceived before in both quality and accuracy.
For years, top shooters had been modifying the Officer s
Model revolvers with custom vented ribs on the barrel to add more forward
weight to the barrel, and having custom altered hammers that were longer and
wider for easier cocking.Many of these
customized guns were altered by top custom shops like King s of California, who
specialized in target pistol alterations.
Henry thought that if Colt would make a target revolver with
all the custom features on a factory gun, it would sell in good numbers.An added selling point would be that the
pistol would be the most accurate double action revolver ever made in keeping
with it s intended audience, target shooters.
Henry convinced Colt management that he could sell this new
revolver, even though it would cost significantly more then any other revolver
and would demand far more of the companies resources in time and higher skilled
personnel than any other pistol ever made.
Colt assigned the development of this new revolver to the
famed Colt Pattern Room, where Colt Master gunsmith Adalbert Al
Gunther built the first prototype using a Colt Officer s Model frame and a
Targetmaster rear sight of the type that had been used on the Colt Officer s
Model Special of 1949 to 1952.
The prototype had a 4 5/8 heavy ribbed and
under-lugged barrel and Colt s new Target hammer and grips.
The gunsmiths thought the prototype was too muzzle heavy,
weighing a then unheard of 60 ounces.Gunther and his crew decided to hollow out the solid under-lug and cut
With the vents and hollow under-lug they decided the gun
The Python barrel was so right in feel and
appearance, virtually every revolver designed since has a barrel that looks as
much like the Python barrel as the makers dare.
In the post-war days, the. 357 Magnum was becoming more and
more popular.Colt had made a marketing
mistake in deciding that the gun buyer would buy the same. 38 Special revolver
he d bought before the war, and was seeing sales drop.They decided that the new super
revolver should be chambered in. 357 Magnum instead of. 38 Special,
figuring that since both cartridges could be fired in the same gun, this would
make the gun more popular with a wider number of customers.
Colt Master gunsmith Al DeJohn built the first
pre-production model, serial number One.By this time, the new gun had Colt s new I frame action in
which the firing pin was mounted inside the frame instead of on the hammer and
The rear sight was now the new Colt Accro adjustable version
that was to be used on virtually all adjustable sighted Colt pistols and
Needing a name for the new revolver, Colt had an internal
contest to name it, and Colt legend has it that the name Python was
submitted by Colt Vice President Phillip Schwartz.
Colt had started the use of snake named pistols in 1950 with
the aluminum framed version of the Colt Detective Special, the Cobra.Since the python is a bigger snake than a
cobra, and the Python was a bigger gun, the name was well suited.
As introduced in 1955 the Python was available with a six
inch barrel with three vents on the rib, a hollow under-lug, and Colt s fully
checkered Target grips.The rear sight
was the early version of the Colt Accro rear sight, and the finish was a
brilliant, mirror-like blue unlike anything seen before,
The Python bluing was the first time a super polished blued
finish had ever been used on a production gun and it became known as Colt Royal
Blue.Inside the Colt factory, it was
The only real difference between the Python s deep mirror
blue and normal guns more satin blue was the amount of polishing given to the
It was said that while competitors guns were in trucks being
shipped to the distributors, the Python was still in the factory being
Colt had always been known for their fine blue jobs, and the
reason why was that Colt was running a metal polishers school for Colt
A new polisher was sent to school where master polishers
taught how to polish metal to a perfect finish with no rounded off edges or
ripples in the flats.After training,
the new polisher was started out on the lower cost guns like the Official
Police, with one of the master polishers literally looking over his shoulder
Colt made their own special polishing wheels from large
wooden disks covered with walrus hide leather.
These wheels were used for only one grit of polish, and as
the gun was polished, a different wheel was used for the next finer grit.
The Python polish went farther down in grit until the final
polish was done with media the consistency of flour.
Since even a slight slip would ruin the Python s finish,
only master polishers with many years of experience were ever allowed to work
LEATHER COVERED WOODEN POLISHING WHEELS
The old Colt action design was a product of the late
1890 s.It was complex, and required
that the action be literally hand fitted.The action was built using over-sized forged parts in which a fitter
would assemble the action by filing, stoning, and even bending parts to get a
In line with the desire to make the Python the finest
revolver ever made, Colt had the action even further polished and tuned to give
the best possible trigger pull.
So concerned was Colt that the Python would be the best ever
made, for the first two years only Al DeJohn and one other man built every
After they burned out from the demand for new Pythons, Colt
put the Python into standard production using their best people.
Colt was almost immediately flooded with demands that they
offer the Python in a 4 barrel for police use, and the first 4
barreled Pythons were advertised as the Colt New Police Python, although that
name was never stamped on the gun.
Soon, Colt began to offer the Python with a 2 1/2
barrel.Colt legend says that the 2
1/2 Python started off as a joke by two Colt managers who wanted to play
a practical joke on a senior manager.
They had a Python shortened to 2 1/2 and showed it to
the intended victim.At the time, the
idea of a short barreled revolver with the powerful, heavy muzzle blast of the
.357 Magnum was considered to be ridiculous.
Instead of laughing, the manager handled the snubby Python
and liked the feel so well, he ordered it into production.
In time the Python would also be offered in an 8
barrel and in a short run of extremely rare 3 barreled versions.
Demands were made for other finishes beside Royal Blue, so
over the years Colt offered the Python in Bright Nickel, satin electroless
nickel known as Royal Coltguard, and in the early 1980 s in satin
stainless steel and in bright mirror polished stainless steel, variously known
as Bright Polish or Ultimate Polish.
The Python was only sold in two calibers: the standard. 357 Magnum and the Colt Python Target in. 38 Special with an 8 barrel.
Colt did make experimental Pythons in other calibers, including. 22LR. 22 Magnum, a. 256, and in. 41 Magnum.
None of these guns were ever made in more than a very few experimental examples, and none were sold as production guns.
From time to time Pythons in calibers other than. 357 and. 38 turn up, but these are invariably not factory guns but conversions done by gunsmiths.
In the mid-1980 s Colt issued a catalog featuring a pair or. 22LR Pythons on the cover.
Colt announced that they d intended to produce. 22LR Pythons but after the catalog was already printed they d changed their minds and no production. 22 models were made.
One knowledgeable collector says that Colt definitely made prototype Pythons in. 22LR and in. 22 Magnum, but thinks that they were not functioning revolvers.
One of the most discussed Pythons are the. 41 Magnum
Colt made up three or four prototype. 41 Magnum Pythons on
the request of a big firearms distributor who wanted to offer something
Colt had second thoughts and decided the frame and cylinder
simply weren t big enough to provide the strength needed for the. 41 Magnum, so
they recalled the guns and canceled the idea.
However, several custom gunsmiths decided to offer
conversions of. 357 Pythons to. 41 Magnum.
Some of these guns were very well done conversions right
down to factory style and quality roll marks on the barrel.Others are very crudely done and are easy to
identify as not factory quality.
Even though Colt adamantly states that no factory production
.41 Magnum Pythons were ever made or sold, people still insist that their. 41
Magnum Python is a real factory gun.
A telling point is, if a Colt Historical Archive search is
done on the serial number, these invariably show as having left the factory as
Production of the Python continued as a production line gun
With the Colt company in financial difficulties and having
lost some of their best craftsmen, Colt moved production into the Colt Custom
Shop in 1997 and made it a custom order only revolver.To highlight this move, the Python had the
name Elite added to the barrel and it became the Colt Python Elite.
The Elite was exactly the same gun as the standard Python
with only the barrel stamp being different.
Production of the Python finally ended in 2003-04.
The last manufacturer s list price for the Python was
The last Python made was an ornate, heavily engraved and
inlaid 6 gun made in 2005 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of it s
With that one-of-a-kind show model, the Python passed into
A major selling point of the Python, right from the original
concept as a target revolver, was that the Python was the most accurate double
In fact, the Python met the hype with few revolvers able to
There are a number of reasons for the Python s deserved
First is the old Colt medium frame action.Designed in the 1890 s the Colt action was
unique in that the cylinder was locked tightly in perfect alignment with the
bore at the moment of ignition.
This was known as the Colt Bank Vault
In this action, the hand that rotates the cylinder pushes
the cylinder into a tight lock-up and holds it there under pressure.The harder the trigger is pulled within
reason the tighter the cylinder is locked in place.
The advantage of this design is that since the chamber is
perfectly aligned with the bore, the bullet passes into the barrel perfectly
centered.Since it is centered, the
bullet doesn t hit the forcing cone off-center and the bullet is not
deformed.A bullet that isn t deformed
in the bore will be more accurate.
The down side to the Colt action is that it cost a lot more
to build due to the amount of hand labor by Master fitters needed to assemble
A second reason for the legendary Python accuracy is the
Samuel Colt and his employees actually invented high
precision, high production barrel rifling machinery in the 1840 s.This type of barrel rifling machinery and
process changed very little until the 1950 s.
Colt was one of the few American gun makers to manufacture
their own barrels, and Colt barrels were always famous for their quality and
Colt went even farther with the Python barrel.It was manufactured to an even higher
standard with an ultra-smooth bore and a faster rifling twist that stabilizes
Uniquely, the Python bore was tapered slightly toward the
As the bullet passed down the barrel the tapered bore
gripped the bullet tighter, increasing accuracy.
As part of the manufacturing process, the Python barrel was
given a somewhat mysterious treatment known as the silver ball.
In this process a silver colored ball of a secret material
was pressed down the bore with a hand press device.This left the inside of the barrel very uniform, perfectly
smooth, and with a brilliant mirror-like shine.
All of this combined to make the Python capable of
A number of shooters have obtained one hole, 3 shot groups
at 25 yards that are smaller than a. 45 caliber bullet.
More than the fine fit and finish, it was the Pythons
accuracy that made it a legendary revolver.
Much is made about the supposed weakness of the old style
Colt action as used in the Python.As
the story goes, the Colt action is fragile and weak, causing it to easily get
out of time.This means the Python is a
gun that may be okay for the target line, but otherwise it s a safe queen to be
This fails to explain why the weak Colt action
was the prime police revolver from 1890 s to the mid-1960 s and didn t seem to
have any problems with heavy police use.
Over the years this story has come to hold that the Python
itself is a weak gun that isn t as strong as other guns and won t stand up
shooting with Magnum ammunition.
As far as strength, the Python frame and cylinder are
stronger than most other guns due to Colt s very high quality forged and heat
treated frames and cylinders.The
Python s cylinder locking notches are off-set from the chambers and this makes
for a stronger cylinder than revolvers that have the locking notches directly
The weakness of the old Colt action is the hand
that advances the cylinder in the Python also forces the cylinder into tight
lockup.This hand is subject to wear
and does require repair or replacement when it wears to the point that the
In the old Colt action this is considered to be normal
maintenance, just like changing spark plugs in a car.
When the hand wears and the action begins to display
improper timing, it s time to have the gun serviced by a qualified Colt
If servicing is delayed, the action can be seriously damaged
and the cost of repair can be high.
The Python s weak action is a more highly
refined action than other revolvers and has the old Colt Bank Vault
Lock-up that helps make it so accurate.
Like an expensive sports car, the Python requires
maintenance more often than other revolvers.No one claims a Ferrari is a weak car because it requires
oil changes and spark plugs more often than a cheap Chevy.Like an expensive sports car, the Python is
a more complex, highly refined machine that produces a higher order of
performance.Like a sports car, that
performance comes at a price, which is that maintenance is required more often.
Unlike Colt s like the Single Action Army or the Detective
Special, there are no Generations or Issues of the Colt
Python.The Python changed remarkably
little over the years.The outward
appearance of the Python never really changed at all.Compare a 1955 Python to a 2003 Python and you d be hard put to
see any differences in the basic gun.
Among the few changes that did take place are:
The early 1955 to about 1960 Python had the early style
Accro rear sight, the hollow under-lug, and a slightly lower top barrel rib and
Around 1960 the Accro rear sight was changed to a version
with a hump on the sight leaf that allowed more elevation
adjustment, the hollow under-lug was changed to a solid lug, and the top barrel
rib and front sight were made very slightly taller.
Around 1972 the old style Colt ejector system was changed to
a new type that was much easier to assemble and disassemble.
The cylinder release had grooves added to improve the grip
when opening the cylinder in the 1980 s.
In the early 1990 s Colt changed the barrel threads from the
old Colt standard of. 5634-32 threads to the same. 562-36 threads used on the
Mark III, Mark V, and King Cobra series.
To identify the new thread barrel models, Colt changed the
two pin front sight to a single pin.
At some point in the late 1970 s or early 1980 s, the
standard grooved ramp Python front sight was changed to add a red or orange
front sight insert with a white outline rear sight blade.
The Python was available with few options from the standard
Among the options were a special order Target sight set
composed of an under-cut Patridge Target front sight and the Colt Ellison
Colt offered two levels of custom trigger jobs.
The Service type further improved and lightened
the trigger action and was usable with any. 38 or. 357 ammunition.
The Target trigger job lightened the trigger to
the point that it wouldn t reliably ignite the. 357 with it s harder
primers.This trigger job was limited
to use with. 38 Special ammunition only and was intended for Pythons that were
As Colt has done since the very beginning, Colt would offer
just about any custom features a customer could pay for on special order guns.
Fine engraving and precious metal inlays, with Ivory or
fancy wood grips were offered, along with special serial numbers and action
Up until the Gun Control Act of 1965 any individual could
order a Colt firearm direct from the factory, and many of these had custom
After 1965, an individual could still order a Colt from the
factory but it had to be shipped to a Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer.In 2000, Colt announced that they would no
longer accept direct orders from individuals.All orders from then on had to be made through an FFL Dealer to a Colt
Authorized distributor, who would place the order with the factory.
Like many premium Colt firearms, Colt made a number of
factory limited production versions of the Python.
Shop produced six inch barreled model available with Royal Blue or Ultimate
bright polish stainless steel, with Colt Ellison Target sights, both rubber and
walnut grips, and a Custom Shop tuned action.
inch barrel model in a fitted Halliburton aluminum case, and fitted with a
Silhouette name on the barrel, fitted with a Leupold 2X scope
blued or bright nickel Python chambered in. 38 Special.There were 3,489 in Royal Blue, and only 251
inch barreled Python with a 3X Burris scope, walnut grips, an extra set of
rubber grips, and a carrying case.
nylon flapped hunter type shoulder holster with a large Colt emblem on the
mystery model at this time.Guns are
reported with a variety of scopes, mostly Leupold, sometimes with no scope.
listed in any of Colt s lists of factory models, so it s possible it was made
for some other company who finished them.
exclusively by West Coast Distributor Pacific International
supplied them with 8 inch. 38 Special Pythons, which they had shortened by a
local source and re-chambered to. 357.
Python, the front sights were not pinned in the barrel ramp.
Colt also produced a number of factory commemorative models
Commemorative or Special Edition guns had special serial numbers.
The Bicentennial Set.1976.1777 made.
This was a set composed of a Single Action Army, a black
powder Colt Third Model Dragoon, and a Python.The set was highly engraved and came in a walnut display case.
Python Silver Snake Special Edition.1983.250 made.
A six inch, stainless steel Python with a black chrome
plated finish, Pachmayr rubber grips with Custom Shop pewter medallions, etched
engraving, and a custom gun pouch.
A stainless steel Ultimate polish six inch Python and an
Officer s Model ACP. 45, smooth rosewood grips, presentation cased.
Snake Eyes Limited Edition.1989,
A pair of Pythons with 2 1/2 inch barrels, one in Royal Blue
the other in bright polish stainless steel.Ivory Service type grips scrimshawed with snake
eyes dice on the left side and a royal flush poker hand on the right
side. The set included poker chips and playing cards.
These were factory engraved models, usually cased.Since these were often offered for sale by
the organization ordering them, these are considered to be public
King Ranch Python.1981.100 made.
This was a six inch blued model, gold inlaid with
D factory level engraving, Rosewood grips, in a walnut case.
Canadian Province Python.1979.
A six inch blue, with ivory grips.
St. Paul Police Department Python.1980.200 made.
Minneapolis Police Department Python.1981.200 made
Durham County Python.1981.250 made.
BATF Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Python.1982.25 made.
Florida Highway Patrol Python.1983.100 made.
Florida Marine Patrol Python.1983.100 made.
Florida Game and Fish Python.1983.100 made.
Sheriff Buford Pusser Python.1983.50 made.
A four inch, blued, ivory grips.
Colorado State Patrol Python.1983.235 made.
Since factory records are not available beyond 1986, it s
possible there are other special editions not listed here.
There are any number of non-Colt commemorative Pythons
issued by other companies.Colt will
sell standard production firearms to outside companies and large firearms
distributors who then have the guns embellished by custom gunsmithing
companies.Among the companies known to
issue these non-Colt commemoratives are America Remembers, and big
gun distributors like Lew Horton and Talo Distributors.
Since these guns are not usually engraved or decorated by
Colt, these guns are not considered to be Colt factory commemoratives, and an
archive letter may show them as standard production guns.
Since these are not Colt commemoratives, it can be difficult
to find out any details on who actually sold them.
One of the most famous of the non-Colt Pythons is the
California Combat Python.These were originally eight inch barreled Pythons shipped to a West
coast distributor who had the barrels cut off to three inches and a non-pinned
front sight installed.The barrel was
marked with non factory style lettering.
Another type of Colt factory commemorative that s not listed
in normal factory lists are Private Edition models.
Colt has always offered custom firearms from the factory for
individual buyers, but they also offer custom editions if the buyer is willing
These private editions are not listed on normal lists of
Colt commemoratives due to the fact that they were sold to private individuals
or organizations, and they were considered to be a private matter.
Among the private editions were guns bought by wealthy
individuals wanting to present friends with a special gift, businesses wanting
special awards for employees, fraternal organizations, and police organizations
wanting a pistol to commemorate a department anniversary.
Since these private edition guns were a private matter, how
many were made and who bought them is unknown to the public.
Due to the lack of knowledge, it can be difficult to
determine if an engraved and decorated Python is a non-Colt commemorative, or a
private edition model.Usually, a
private edition will show as a factory gun in an Archive letter and will list
The grips, or stocks used on the Python changed more than
It s near impossible to say with certainty exactly when Colt
stopped using one type and started using another.
The dates shown here that Colt changed from one style of
Python grip to another are estimates only.
Colt catalogs might show an older style that had been
replaced a year before, and Colt may have used older styles until the supply
was exhausted even though the type had officially changed.
It s becoming more and more common to see Pythons on which
the wrong type of grips are mounted.With the price of genuine Colt grips skyrocketing, it s very common for
owners to switch grips and use them on another Colt or sell them at great
Trying to determine exactly what type of grips a Python left
the factory with is often impossible to say for sure, especially around the
times when Colt was in the process of changing the style.
Colt almost always used American walnut grips on their
firearms.These grips were cut from
planks, not blocks, so the grain will not match and there may be slight color
variations between the two halves.
Colt used blued steel grip screws and a single steel grip
screw bushing on the right hand grip.On nickel guns the bushing and screw may be nickel plated.
Up until 1955, all Colt s had Silver medallions in the
walnut grips.Since the Python was to
be a special gun, it was decided to give it Gold Colt medallions to separate it
From 1955 to around the later 1970 s the Python was fitted
with Gold medallions and all other Colt s with Silver.
With Colt it s impossible to say never, and it s
possible a few Pythons mistakenly left the factory with Silver medallions, but
the Python-only Gold medallions was a standard Colt usually followed closely.
Starting sometime in the later 1970 s Gold medallions
started appearing on other Colt pistols, and by the mid-1980 s all Colt s had
Then in the mid-1990 s Silver started being occasionally
seen on some Pythons, usually stainless steel models with rubber grips.
Over the years, Colt offered any number of custom grips,
usually on special order through the Custom Shop.
These could be special ordered on a Python or could be
bought for owner installation on a Python.
Custom Shop grips were almost always made of better quality
woods, including Rosewood.They often
had Custom Shop medallions, but also were sold with standard Gold medallions.
Custom Shop grips were invariably very close copies of
whatever style of grip Colt was using at the time, usually Second or Third
Custom Shop grips were made in the USA first, then
contracted to suppliers in India then Italy.The grips were available in versions with or without checkering, but
always in fancier woods and very close to factory shape.
It was not unusual for owners to sand the checkering off
standard production grips.Altered
grips can usually be identified by the plain, standard grain of the
Note the thumb rest, actually a loading
clearance cut, only on the left side, and the semi-circular checkering border
under the medallions.The checkering
pattern is on a raised area that stands up above the surrounding wood.
All grips from this point on were finished with a semi-gloss
These are often thought to be the most attractive of the
Note the thumb rest is now on both sides, and
the checkering border is in a slanted straight line under the medallions.
In the late 1980 s the color of the American Walnut began to
get lighter and lighter with less figure in the grain.
The color began to change to an odd orange-like color then
Also in the late 1980 s the use of a tan colored patching
material was used to repair small surface defects in the wood and to correct
These Service type grips were used on the 2 1/2
barreled Python as standard.While
these may be seen on longer barreled models, the Service type would have
normally been used on a longer barreled Python only as a special order.
In most cases, Service grips on longer barreled models are
the result of an owner switching them for the Target grips.
late 1990 s to the end of production in 2003-2004, usually on the Python Elite.
These grips are made of laminated wood and came in several
colors and with Gold or Silver medallions.
These were made under the Excalibur name by a
contractor for Colt and were most commonly used on the Python Elite.These were not checkered.
This grip is the only Colt Target grip still available from
stainless Pythons and sold by Colt as an aftermarket accessory from the late
In the 1990 s, some blued Pythons may have shipped with
There were two versions of these, the first was slightly
larger, the second smaller and with slightly rounded off edges on the
Pictured is a pair of the second, slightly smaller
type.These were standard on mid-1990 s
Colt used the Gripper rubber grip on some stainless Pythons
and also sold it as an aftermarket item. These were standard on mid-1990 s 4
in the mid-1990 s on the four inch Python.
a Colt logo molded into the right side, and were only used for a short time.
With the prices of genuine Python grips soaring, fakes and
replicas have begun to flood the market.
It s common to see Pythons with these fake grips, often
described as Colt factory or deliberately leaving the impression
Fakes are often recognized by the use of brass screws and
brass bushings on BOTH sides of the grips.
Other common features are highly figured foreign woods,
mis-shapen loading clearance cuts, poorly done checkering, or grips that are
flatter then the oval shaped Colt factory grips.
These were one of the first fake types available and may
even be found in fake Colt packaging.
The wood is a European walnut, and the screw and bushings
are brass.These grips are much flatter
then the oval Colt grips.Note the odd
Smith Wesson type checkering pattern with the grooved border.
Made by the same maker as the above Italian grips, these are
made of a cheap hardwood with a walnut stain finish.No Colt medallions and steel bushings.
one time for as little as 9.95.
A good many fakes are now being made in Asia.While these are sometimes closer to the
shape of real Colt grips, the wood and checkering is still noticeably
different.These are usually flatter
near the top than the well-rounded Colt factory grips.
The medallions look like real Colt until you look close.
A replica of the Colt Second Type Target
grip.Note how flat they are above the
these are out and out counterfeits of Colt factory.
Note the garish figured wood and the crude checkering common
to Indian replicas.Loader cuts are
There are some replica Colt grips that are almost exact
copies of genuine Colt and use Colt factory type medallions.These usually have much fancier grained wood
These are most often sold by Gungrip.com
As the finest double action revolver, the Python was seen as
a status symbol and many famous people owned Pythons or gave them as gifts.
Elvis Presley owned a number of Pythons and gave Pythons as
Sheriff Buford Pusser, made famous in several movies carried
The 2 1/2 inch Python was a status symbol among FBI agents,
especially Washington headquarters staff agents, and many carried one up until
ordered to switch to the S W 10mm automatic.
So identified was the 2 1/2 Python with the FBI, in
the 1960 s and 70 s TV show The FBI actor Efrem Zimbalist, Jr
FBI Director J, Edgar Hoover owned a four inch blued Python.
Actor Steve McQueen owned at least one six inch blued
Famed Army Special Forces Colonel Arthur D. Bull
Simons owned a Colt Python and carried it on the famous Son Tay rescue attempt
Simons was reported to have shot several enemy soldiers with
Other Special Forces personnel owned Pythons and carried
them into battle in Southeast Asia, with reportedly great effect on enemy
The Colt Python, often profusely engraved and inlaid with precious
metal was a favorite of Texas Ranger Captains and individual Rangers.
The Texas Ranger museum at Waco has a number of famous
Rangers Colt Pythons on display.
In his book Arson by John Barracato, the author
tells about a New York Fire Department arson inspector in the bad days of the
1960 s when many buildings in the Bronx were being burned for insurance.
Often having dangerous encounters with arsonists, the
Inspector had one particularly bad episode in a dark, abandoned building late
one night. The suspects were not at all
impressed by the Fireman s two inch. 38 revolver, so next morning he went to
the famed John Jovino gun store in New York and asked for The biggest,
baddest, meanest looking gun they had.
The salesman wordlessly reached into the counter and pulled
out a bright nickel Colt Python.The
inspector said that no one ever again failed to be impressed with his new Colt
The Florida Highway Patrol carried bright nickel Colt
Pythons.Prior to the Pythons they
carried special order bright nickel, five inch barreled Colt 357 Model
After the invasion and liberation of Kuwait, the Emir
ordered four inch Colt Pythons and Mercedes cars to re-equip his police force.
King Hussein of Jordan ordered a number of Colt Pythons with
four and six inch barrels as gifts for friends.Most were given to kings and presidents in the middle East.These Pythons were engraved and had the
Royal Seal of the King inlaid in gold on the barrel.
The Python has appeared in a great many Hollywood movies and
television shows.One director stated
that in the 1960 s and 70 s the Colt Python was chosen whenever a visually
The Python made a number of famous appearances in Hollywood
In the Clint Eastwood Dirty Harry series movie
Magnum Force motorcycle policemen used 4 inch blued Pythons.Like the S W. 44 Magnum before it, this
caused a brief run on Colt Pythons in the gun shops.
In the iconic TV show Starsky and Hutch actor
David Soul carried a six inch blued Python.
In the movie Electra-glide in Blue an ambitious
motorcycle cop played by Robert Blake carried a Colt blued Python with a custom
bright nickel barrel and cylinder.
These types of multi-finish guns are often known as
In the Steve McQueen movie The Getaway, actor Al
Lettieri uses a 6 inch Python until the final scenes of the movie, when in a
error the Python mysteriously changes to a six inch Colt Trooper Mark III.
In the 1980 s Colt conducted a hunt on a Texas game ranch
for gun magazine writers and several famous shooters.
Famed American champion target pistol shooter Bill
Blankenship, known as The Human Machine Rest, killed his deer with
one shot at a range of 150 yards with a four inch Colt Python.
American gun writer, firearms expert, martial artist, part
time police officer, and Expert Witness in many court trials, Massod Ayoob
often used a Colt Python to win combat shooting matches and often wrote about
The American Practical Police Course PPC is a pistol match
for police officers.In the early days,
the Colt Python was a favorite due to the heavier barrel and increased
Many police were armed with the S W revolver for duty
and preferred the S W trigger action, so custom gunsmiths began fitting
Python barrels to S W revolvers for the matches.
These became known and Smythons or
In the late 1960 s, Colt firearms were extremely difficult
to get because Colt was heavily committed to producing arms for the Vietnam War.
With Pythons largely unavailable but for some reason barrels
easily had, some custom gunsmiths began fitting Python barrels to the still
readily available Colt Trooper revolver.
The front of the frame where it was contoured to match the
round Trooper barrel was heli-arc welded up to mate with the top rib of the
Python barrel and the new barrel was installed.
The action was tuned to Python levels and the gun was
re-blued with a Python quality bright polish blue job.
Many subsequent owners of these converted Pooper
or Troop-on Colt s are unaware these are not Pythons, and often the
only indication of the conversion is a slight discoloration of the bluing on
the top of the frame where it was welded up.
Colt s Manufacturing Company - firearms, handguns, pistols, rifles, revolvers.
Colt Double Action Revolvers top. 1877 Lightning 1878 Frontier 1889 Navy Python Trooper Trooper Model . 357 Model. Colt Semi -Automatic Pistols top. Ace. 22.
