Python value

huntsman said:

^Ok stupid question: what's the black crap on the hammer spur? I got a Frontier Scout with it and I assumed that it was factory and meant gun wasn't used much but why is it there?

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Not sure what frontier scout you are referring to. The only one I know of is a ruger rifle but then what does it matter here.
Anyway on the hammer spur, it has to be the bluing as mentioned above. Why it had to be there in the first place where your thumb will destroy it both mechanically and chemically, is anyone's guess. Mine is, it looked good when new, and now is sort of like fading on the blue jeans. A noble patina. No worries.

I guess I will post up a 4" pic to join the crowd...

I have a 6" or two. I shot this one today.

Jaymo said:

I believe that's called bluing.

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nope not blue, it's thick and a bit course at least on my Colt.

Sorry for the drift I thought this thread would draw in a Colt collector with an answer.

Then it shouldn't be there. I am not a collector, but have bought two and looked at many. I hope the "crap" is black paint applied by some (insert an expletive) to make it look more better or perhaps for resale. Test it with a paint thinner soaked patch. I have seen such horrid custom jobs on the Pythons that I lost religion for a day or two.

here's a pic of my 4" Nickel.......... cost me a little over $1700, and I've got a 4" blued I'm buying off a buddy for $1400.. I would trade an AR I had only $900 for it in a heartbeat. In fact, I traded a Daniel Defense LW version 5 to a buddy a while back for his 6" Stainless Steel Python and was happy to do it.

Well, I will contribute the following pictures of my four 4-inch Pythons. The first picture displays a satin sts Python on the left and a BSS Python on the right and the obvious Royal Blue Python on the bottom. The last three pictures are of my unfired 1968 4-inch Python:

One thing to remember

I noticed that nothing had been said about the Python grips. I picked up a used 6" blue Python about a year ago and noticed it had aftermarket grips. I thought to myself well I will pick up a set off of eBay or gun-broker.....was I surprised, a good set of grips was going from $275 to over $300 WOW!! I also notice there were a bunch of knock-off copies out there so you need to do a little homework to be able to tell the difference. To date I have not talked myself into parting with the $300 but it will probably happen, Later Greg

That's because the OP was about something else. Truth is, well made aftermarket grips are called custom on everything else, but on a Python they are called fake. It is a cult piece. I have bought and sold Pythons on gun shows and gun auctions, and can assure you, the $300 you spend on the real grips one day will increase the value of your Python, $ for $. Won't make you shoot any different, but for resale, money in the bank. The Pythons were unique while in current production, and will increase in value for generations. Colt does not make the authentic grips anymore either.
Greg when you decide, you wanna choose the correct grips to match the year of production of your Colt. There were 3 main versions, not counting the custom shop and elite versions.

So, all things being equal, should we expect pay $250-$300 less for a Python if it doesn't have the original grips?

Yes. Not just because the original wood grips are valuable by themselves. Aftermarket grips are often a sign of a well-shot revolver. Even a trivial repair on a Python is expensive at best and impossible at worst.

1980 Python with Colt Custom Shop Grips

I got this 1980 with good years on it. The Custom grips were right from Colt.

NOT FROM THAILAND

Yes I know it is an old thread. Prices have gone up .
Did GlockKy trade for the AR?

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I picked up a new take-off original grips a few weeks ago. I gladly gave $200 for them.