Question for all you Colt Python Collectors

[paracarry]

What would a Colt Python with honest wear go for $$, It is a 4" blued manufactured in 1959 according to the serial #, I know they are more desirable, being hand fitted and manufactured before CNC machining. It may not be up for sale for a while just curious. No pictures right now and do not have the box for it. Thanks for any input.

 

[Uglyducky]

Colt did not make the Python in 4" until the 60's. If it's indeed a '59 it's been re barreled and therefore worth very little. Maybe $1500 or less.

 

[paracarry]

Colt did not make the Python in 4" until the 60's. If it's indeed a '59 it's been re barreled and therefore worth very little. Maybe $1500 or less.

Since my post have talked to a collector, who examined it,the serial number says it was made in 59 per the web site I looked at ser# 797XX it is all original then I checked a few other sites and they said manufactured in 68, which would make more sense since it was bought in Germany new in 1968.The man that looked at it said it was in the $3000 range. Was told to not fire it, sell it or put it away, I'll put it away. Thanks for your input.

 

[Uglyducky]

Two things:

1) if it was bought in Germany new it would have import stamps somewhere conspicuous on the frame from when it was brought back to the US. these stamps will decrease the value of the gun

2) a 5 digit serial starting with a 7 would indicate a 1960's gun without question. 50's python serial numbers maxed out at 4 digits.

best of luck, whatever you decide to do with it.

 

[paracarry]

Two things:

1) if it was bought in Germany new it would have import stamps somewhere conspicuous on the frame from when it was brought back to the US. these stamps will decrease the value of the gun

2) a 5 digit serial starting with a 7 would indicate a 1960's gun without question. 50's python serial numbers maxed out at 4 digits.

best of luck, whatever you decide to do with it.

I will check it was bought by my friend through the air force base he was stationed at in Germany before he took it to Vietnam,

 

[jkelly1229]

Dunno much about them but it's a gamble holding onto it the market could drop on them I was reading several forums. And a recurring theme was they are awesome but no one saw where the price jump came from. Just an observation that they could go down. I wouldn't sell it but shoot it have some fun with it if your ever interested in selling reblue it through colt value will jump back up

 

[Uglyducky]

Dunno much about them but it's a gamble holding onto it the market could drop on them I was reading several forums. And a recurring theme was they are awesome but no one saw where the price jump came from. Just an observation that they could go down. I wouldn't sell it but shoot it have some fun with it if your ever interested in selling reblue it through colt value will jump back up

A refinished gun's value in the collectible colt world drops by about 40%.

 

[dcmdon]

A refinished gun's value in the collectible colt world drops by about 40%.

Even if the work is done by the Colt custom shop? Or someone like Turnbul?

 

[Uglyducky]

Even if the work is done by the Colt custom shop? Or someone like Turnbul?

yes sir. any colt with a refinished job (even factory) will experience a great drop in value. collectors would rather a pitted, patina'd gun over a refinish any day of the week and secondary market prices will directly reflect this.

 

[mark056]

Two things: 1) if it was bought in Germany new it would have import stamps somewhere conspicuous on the frame from when it was brought back to the US. these stamps will decrease the value of the gun 2) a 5 digit serial starting with a 7 would indicate a 1960's gun without question. 50's python serial numbers maxed out at 4 digits. best of luck, whatever you decide to do with it.

If it was purchased thru the military exchange system or hunting and fishing clubs it would not have an import stamp.

 

[dcmdon]

Even if the work is done by the Colt custom shop? Or someone like Turnbul?

yes sir. any colt with a refinished job (even factory) will experience a great drop in value. collectors would rather a pitted, patina'd gun over a refinish any day of the week and secondary market prices will directly reflect this.

Interesting. How would you tell the difference if it was done right?

I'm not challenging. I'm really curious.

Thanks,

Don

 

[familyman15]

Under a lense? Under the grips, there will always be evidence to the trained eye

 

[mark056]

Interesting. How would you tell the difference if it was done right? I'm not challenging. I'm really curious. Thanks, Don

If it was done at Colt there will be a record if you pay to have a historical letter done. It will say something to the effect that on such and such date Python #xxxxxx was returned to the Colt Custom Shop and refinished.

Now to be anecdotal: I have a four inch made in 1969. It was originally in Royal Blue. It belonged to a West Boylston Police Officer. Finish was rough, this was back about 1989. I called the custom shop and they wanted a small fortune (around 350.00 to refinish the gun, lots of money in '89). On a whim, I called Customer Service and asked if there were any other options, and a very nice lady told me that if I sent the gun back to Colt that they would rebuild the gun on the regular production line for $150.00 and refinish it in any finish I wanted. I did and in about six weeks the gun came back in literally brand new condition. I also elected to have it refinished in the non-standard Coltguard electroless nickel finish with bright nickel accents on the hammer and muzzle. Now the point here is when people have looked at the gun and I have related my tale of it being refinished, it hasn't stopped people making some serious offers of serious money for this revolver, it's a damn Python, it's reached a cult status and any Python is going to fetch some serious money. Oh yeah I suppose for the serious, waaaaaay serious collector maybe original condition is going to mean something so maybe a refinished Python is only going to get $3000 instead of $5000 depending on year of production, condition etc. Wake up people, figure what the gun cost to begin with.

The Mystique of the Serpentine Colt, any Python has value and I could sell mine tomorrow and not have any worries that I could command my price. The market is simply there. I would also ask a fair price and not a stupid price and no it is not for sale.

 

[drgrant]

yes sir. any colt with a refinished job (even factory) will experience a great drop in value. collectors would rather a pitted, patina'd gun over a refinish any day of the week and secondary market prices will directly reflect this.

If I ever win the lottery they're gonna hate me. I would make it my goal in life to find ****ed up pythons and professionally refinish them and sell them to people who want to shoot them more than they want to pet them. "Python Outlet FFL" on gunbroker here we come.

-Mike

 

[invaliduser]

If I ever win the lottery they're gonna hate me. I would make it my goal in life to find ****ed up pythons and professionally refinish them and sell them to people who want to shoot them more than they want to pet them. "Python Outlet FFL" on gunbroker here we come.

-Mike

Hey I'd be all for it. I bought my Python to shoot. It's nickel and it got 2 or 3 small scratches, oh well. Sure helped with the price on it.