[HIcarry]

I am thinking about buying an "investment" gun, an early model Python and need info on the correct/original grips. I have searched the internet and other sources, and looked at similar guns for sale from the same period for some clues, but I haven't been able to find anything specific or definitive.

The gun was made in 1966 per the S/N. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

[Jim K]

With the exception of some experimentals and the scarce 2 1/2" barrel model, the standard grips for the Python were checkered walnut filler grips, with the Colt medallion in gold. (Filler grips are made to fill in the gap behind the trigger guard.)

Of course, after-market grip makers had many grips for the E frame, ranging from real ivory to pearl to plastic, and Colt had an assortment of custom grips available on special order. Of course, any grips made for an E frame gun will fit the Python.

Jim

[HIcarry]

With the exception of some experimentals and the scarce 2 1/2" barrel model, the standard grips for the Python were checkered walnut filler grips, with the Colt medallion in gold. (Filler grips are made to fill in the gap behind the trigger guard.)

Thanks for the info! I thought the standard grips were checkered, but also that some of the earlier ones had smooth grips with the Colt medallion, which is what is on this one. I thought those (the smooth ones) were usually found on the earliest models, but couldn't find anything authorative as to when the smooth ones were available as standard or optional equipment or when they discontinued using the smooth ones.

I've seen other '66 Pythons with the checkered grips, so have to assume that either both styles were available at that time, or one style isn't period correct for '66.

Thanks again.

[Jim K]

I didn't find anything to indicate smooth grips were ever standard, but as I said, Colt would put on any grips they had on special order.

IMHO, any Colt factory grips would be "correct" on that gun.

Jim

[dfariswheel]

On the Python, Colt used four standard types of wooden Target grips.

All wood grips for the Pythons were checkered walnut, up to the last type in the late 1990's.
Late style grips were smooth, but a different type.
The Colt Custom Shop did offer special order smooth grips that were always made of fancy figure woods.

"Usually" standard type smooth factory grips are grips someone sanded the checkering off. It's common to see the first three types of Target grips with sanded checkering.

ALL Pythons with wood grips had Gold medallions, NEVER Silver, up until the very last in the late 1990's when Silver may have been used on some last type grips.

Here's the standard Colt Target grips:

First Type.
Fully checkered, no "thumb rest" on either side.
Used from 1955 to "around" the early 1960's.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/dfariswheel/FirstTypeLeft.jpg

Second Type.
"Thumb rest" ONLY on the Left side. Note the checkering border ends in a semi-circle under the Gold medallions.
Used from the early 1960's to "about" the mid-1970's:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/dfariswheel/SecondType.jpg

Third Type.
"Thumb rest" on BOTH SIDES. Checkering border ends in a slanted straight line under the Gold medallions.
Used from the mid-1970's to the mid-1990's.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/dfariswheel/ThirdType-1.jpg

Last Type.
These grips are made of smooth laminated wood, with finger grooves.
These were not made by Colt, they were bought from another company.
Used from the mid-1990's to end of production in 2003.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/dfariswheel/PythonElite.jpg

"Service Type grips.
These were used on the 2 1/2" and most of the rare 3" Pythons.
Medallions were ALWAYS Gold. Silver medallions were used only on other Colt models.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/dfariswheel/Service.jpg

[HIcarry]

Jim Keenan and defariswheel:

Thanks for the info...it was most helpful. Here's a picture of the gun with the grips.

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq232/billr2979/photo.jpg

[dfariswheel]

Those are a pair of Second Type Target grips that someone sanded the checkering off.
Value of the grips plunged when they did that.

These days, original condition Second Type Colt Target grips sell on Ebay for upward of $200.