I just acquired the holy grail of my gun collection, a unfired 2.5" Colt Python. I've always wanted one, but at recent years prices, I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money for one handgun, even for what many consider the Holy Grail of handguns, and especially one not to be fired. But, this came to me from a Family member at a wonderful price. My brothers wife inherited this gun along with other items from her Dad when he passed away about 3 or 4 years ago. Neither she or my brother are gun people, so at that time they asked me to come over and take a look at.
I was shocked to see that it was an 2.5" Colt Python in new unfired condition. I told them at that time what they had, and based on the market then, that I thought it was worth about $3500 or more since it hadnt been fired, and very well could be more. I said that they should keep it, and dont fire or work the action on it. I explained that it would effect the value. I oiled it down, gave them some gun oil and a cotton oil rag and told them if it ever gets handled, to wipe it down with the oil rag to get rid of any area's that touched the hands, and to prevent rust or corrosion. Then I just moved on.
Fast forward to two weeks ago and I get a call from my brother. He tells me that his wife would like to sell the gun, but doesn't know how to list it, or the legalities of how to sell a gun, and so they wanted my help. He also asked if I would like to purchase it, I explained that I'd love to have it ,but cant spend that kind of money for one handgun. I told him that it would be the holy grail of my collection if I could buy it, but I cant.
Anyway, I explained that they would have to set up an account and list it on an auction site such as Gunbroker or Guns Of America, it would have to be shipped from FFL to an FFL along with a little bit more info. Because of the value, I told them that it wasnt safe to do a face to face transaction with a stranger, and that a legal auction site was the legal and safest way to sell a gun like that because background checks are done on both the buyers and the sellers.
I asked him why she wanted to sell it, they are both retired and I know that they are both in good shape financially. He said that both of Her sons (from another marriage) would like to have it, but both would just probably sell it for the cash. She couldn't just give it to one without upsetting the other. So if she gets rid of it, she avoids family problems with her two sons. I guess I can understand that.
My brother and his wife came over last night for what I though was to collaborate on setting up their sale ad on Gunbroker (since they had never done that before). Out of the blue, his wife Michelle said to me, would you like to buy the gun, if so you can have it for $1800 dollars and trade for one of your smaller revolvers to us, that way the gun stays in the family.
It caught me off guard, and for a moment there, I wasn't even sure what to say. I was very surprised and once I processed that statement, I immediately started showing them my small revolvers. A 2.5" Ruger SP101 DAO, two S&W J frames, a S&W 442 and a S&W 638. They both liked the 442, so I gave them $1800 dollars and the S&W 442, and we did the bill of sales.
I am now the proud owner of this beautiful Colt Python. Now my unfired Ruger 2-3/4" Security Six, has an unfired 2.5" Colt Python in the safe as a stable mate. The unfired Ruger was my holy grail gun, but now the Colt has relegated it to the number two spot. Actually, I still have a soft spot for the Ruger since I've had it for so long, so I'm fond of them both equally.
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And a pic of each.
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