Almost three years ago, I purchased what I thought was a 4" nickel Python made in 1973. At the time, I considered a 4" nickel Python to be a grail gun. As luck would have it, the revolver was originally a 4" blue steel model. I sent it back to Colt last year for a refinish, and had it returned to its original blue.
Today, I stopped in a local shop, just to do a bit of browsing. In the bottom of the display case sat a 4" nickel Python. It looked to be a decent revolver, and I looked at it very closely, not wanting to commit very quickly. I pulled out my RL Wilson reference, and it stated serial number E54XXX was made in 1973. Wow, the same year as the first one. It was on consignment, and there was no wiggle room. The dealer called the seller, but he stated it was firm at $1,399. Oh, well. Not a steal, but not bad. It has the box, but no papers, and it's numbered to the gun; the older two-piece box with red interior, plastic bag, and two sheets of S&W storage paper. Not a sign of rust, but it has a few small marks on it, and the stocks have a couple of minor chips in the bottom. A bit of Mothers Mag Polish and my trusty index finger, and a coat of Johnson's paste wax, and she cleaned up nicely.
The serial number of my blue steel model is E540xx, and came with second generation stocks. This model is serial number E545xx, and came with third generation stocks. less than 450 numbers between them. Serendipity?
Today, I stopped in a local shop, just to do a bit of browsing. In the bottom of the display case sat a 4" nickel Python. It looked to be a decent revolver, and I looked at it very closely, not wanting to commit very quickly. I pulled out my RL Wilson reference, and it stated serial number E54XXX was made in 1973. Wow, the same year as the first one. It was on consignment, and there was no wiggle room. The dealer called the seller, but he stated it was firm at $1,399. Oh, well. Not a steal, but not bad. It has the box, but no papers, and it's numbered to the gun; the older two-piece box with red interior, plastic bag, and two sheets of S&W storage paper. Not a sign of rust, but it has a few small marks on it, and the stocks have a couple of minor chips in the bottom. A bit of Mothers Mag Polish and my trusty index finger, and a coat of Johnson's paste wax, and she cleaned up nicely.
The serial number of my blue steel model is E540xx, and came with second generation stocks. This model is serial number E545xx, and came with third generation stocks. less than 450 numbers between them. Serendipity?
