Colt Combat Python ( 3 inch Barrel )

[deller]

I've a 3 inch Combat Python which according to Colt was 1 of 500 made. It's been fired perhaps 24 rounds and other than that secured in my safe for 15+ years. It came with factory sight inserts and I have the original box and papers for it.
Can anyone give me an idea as to value on this?

 

[schwantz]

I have the same exact gun (confirmed by Colt factory letter) and they generally sell in $2000+ range.

 

[dfariswheel]

Or MORE.

Colt Pythons are going crazy in price, and the genuine non-fake 3" Python is worth A LOT of money.
At sale in an internet gun auction like Gunbroker.com it can bring astounding prices.
I haven't seen a 3" sell for $5000.....YET, but the prices are headed that way.

Lately, phony 3" Pythons have been selling for astronomical prices.

 

[deller]

I'm surprised at the prices as well and greatly appreciate your feedback.
I obtained the gun new at a gun show and it is witout a doubt the real Mccoy.
The prices I've had suggested range from $1500 to $2500. It may be best to go the auction route as 500 of this model make it extremly difficult to find.

 

[schwantz]

I would definitely go the auction route. Set a reserve that you can live with and go from there.

 

[deller]

Combat Python

Schwartz. You will be surprised to hear that according to an on line appraiser our 3 inch Combat Pythons do not exist. Nor were any such guns made by Colt.

So much for the vast knowledge of on line appraisers.

 

[schwantz]

 

[deller]

Schwartz

Thanks for posting your certificate. It confirms everything the Colt rep told me over the phone. One odd thing about these 500 weapons was that Colt did not assign then special serial numbers even though per Colt they were a Limited Edition. ( or at least that what I was told by the Colt rep. )

My on line appraiser says that my gun sounds like a Colt Python Elite. To his credit I did not send pictures so perhaps he thinks I'm incapable of reading the words "Combat Python" on the barrel of the gun.

 

[schwantz]

Just out of curiosity, is your python's serial number in the same general range as mine?

 

[deller]

Combat Python

T74098

 

[schwantz]

Thanks for posting. I was always curious since they don't appear to have special serial numbers if they all were in the same general range.

 

[deller]

CCP

 

[Boocoo]

I have A 3" COLT PYTHON with ser# T738XX So they are real and not cheap.

 

[schwantz]

Here is a very interesting thread regarding 3" Pythons from Coltforums.com

Combat Pythons

 

[Boocoo]

The California Combat" Python and combat python are not the same gun. we all can agree to that with pic to prove it.

All i know is that the 3" combat pythons are real. And most and i think should start with T7xxx. I purchased my gun new in 1988 when my brother was a FFL dealer And i also purchased a colt combat cobra "cc' prefix.

If colts writes and has recods of the combat pythons just like they have records of the cobra combat records then they are real...............................

Now on the cali combat here is paper work i found on the internet. which is a after factory custom work. send me your e-mail and i'll send it to you if you would like.

 

[Boocoo]

pic of address on a combat python

Here you go.

 

[Boocoo]

Here we go some new. we have 3 ser # and so far. ALL are strating with " T7 "

T74098
T73899
T73802

 

[6Gun]

California Combat Python

Deller:

Looks like everybody has the "California" part figured out now, but I am curious if you can point me to this on-line appraiser?

As to a special serial number issue... Colt has made limited runs for many people over the years. I think you will find that though they are special editions to you and I, for Colt the Lew Horton guns were basically just another order.

In appears that Colt made a few 3" Pythons without any special markings between the California Combat Python and the 1988 Lew Horton Combat Python.

The evidence I can find points to them likely being made from early 80's frames like the California guns. Perhaps Colt cut down their own 8" guns to try to sell them? I would like to hear from other non-"Combat" 3" inch owners to get a better picture of these guns.

6Gun

 

[deller]

Ok,,lets put this puppy to bed.

According to Kathleen Hoyt ( the Colt Historian responsible for researching Colt weapons history and issuing Certificates of authenticity )
Colt [DID NOT] manafacture other 3inch Colt Pythons.
She stated that the market is flooded with the FAKE 3inch pythons that were originally manafactured with an 8inch barrel by Colt. These were shipped to Pacfic Industries and that company cut the barrels to 3 inches and put them back on the market.
You can receive a certificate of authenticity on such a weapon but it will say nothing about being a " Combat Python" and it will clearly state that the gun was manafactured with an 8 inch barrel.
Anyone who wishes to can call Colt for this information.

As I see it. I'm one of 500 lucky people to own a Combat Python, manafactured and recognized by Colt as such. Watch for it soon at auction.

The gun appraisal that I refered to was obtained through Gun-Appraisals.com and I did not provide the appraiser with photos, just the description and serial number. He obviously did not call Colt.

 

[6Gun]

Deller: Look these over and let me know what you think. I just want to make sure that we are all asking the same question.


http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=235919

Tolly New Member Join Date: 11-09-06 Posts: 27 colt python Hi dfariswheel,What I got was a expedited Historial Letter from Colt Archives in (2) weeks instead of waiting (3) months. That was the difference in price. I called Beverely Haynes (Colt Archivist, and she told me there was around 1100 3"barrel colt pythons made.Tolly

GUNKWAZY Senior Member Join Date: 11-04-04 Location: AZ Posts: 569 Cool, great info.Now was that 1100 3 inchers altogether, or 1100 not including the 3 inch Combat Pythons ?Thanks, Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

Tolly New Member Join Date: 11-09-06 Posts: 27 ccolt python Hi GUNKWAZY,That was excluding the Combat Python. Beverly Haynes (Colt Archivist) said there were approximately (500) Combat Pythons made. Tolly


Also, take a look at the full text of this.
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7840090

 

[Doug DeGraves]

Greetings, all. I know I’m showing up late to the party but I just recently began researching the history the Colt Python with a 3” barrel. Well, okay, I’ve got one. I’ve been looking at a lot of posts on a lot of sites (all that I can find, lots of good info here on THR) and checking auction sites also. Here are my conclusions and further questions. It seems that there are four variations of the 3” Python.

1. Manufactured by Colt from who knows to maybe 1995? That’s assuming they made any (custom shop?) after the 500 made for Lew Horton in 1988. From what I find, there were approximately 1100 of these guns produced by Colt, with the barrel markings “Python” just like all the other barrel lengths. Perhaps Colt did not make very many (or any) in the later years. The only serial number I found was a K56xxx series, so wouldn’t that put it about 1981? There would be no reason to believe that the serial numbers would be in sequence as I imagine they made them in very small batches or individually as requested.

2. Lew Horton Combat Python, manufactured by Colt, and marked on the barrel “Combat Python.” Supposedly 500 of these were made in 1988, in both blue and nickel. One post said stainless but I don’t buy that. Since this was a specific order, I would expect that these serial numbers would be in sequence. (Am I out to lunch on this?) The numbers volunteered in various posts range from T73xxx to T74xxx, with one odd ball of T746xx which seems to be out of range of the 500. I have one of these, got it at a gun show between 89 and 91 for (don’t hate me!) less than $400. There were two on the table and I failed to buy them both. It would have meant serious doghouse time. The other was Nickel and was gone when I got back to that table.

3. Pacific International California Combat Python, 200 made by cutting the 8” barrel down to 3” and stamping the barrel “Python 357 California Combat.” The 38 spl. chambers were reamed out to 357. The sight ramp is very low and the sight is soldered or glued on, no pins like on other Pythons. Boxes, unless altered, say 8” Bbl, .38 Spl.

4. Odd balls, made putting surplus 3” barrels (sold by Colt to Gun Parts Inc and/or Numrich and/or The Sportman’s Guide) on existing guns, by hobbyists, hacks, self proclaimed gunsmiths, counterfeiters, and possibly legit gunsmiths (these guns would be okay). I have not found any photos or read any post by anyone who has one of these. I’ve seen photos of the Californias and the Lew Hortons, and read posts by owners of all three.

I agree with Ray Chapman, the 3” feels the best of all the Pythons, balance wise, and points most naturally for me. But I like them all. Don’t get me started about Diamondbacks!

So basically, I just retraced everyone’s steps. All the info is right here in this thread before I got here.

This just in, I found one for sale just now in Dallas, for...are you sitting down?...$4800!


Great site! Bye all!

 

[lazyh]

Hi, my name is Ron, from New Mexico. I was doing a search on this topic and found your forum. I picked up a Combat Python in three inch in a trade several years ago. I had to trade two Smith and Wesson thirty eights (total value $650) for it and thought I really got taken to the cleaners. I am flabbergasted to find out what it is worth!

 

[Old Fuff]

Do keep in mind that this thread is going on being 4-years old, and prices have continued to go up. Also, it's unlikely anyone will pay those high numbers unless your particular revolver is confirmed as genuine by Colt - in writing.

 

[lazyh]

It took me over two years to talk my friend out of it back in 1994. He told me at the time that it was a Lew Horton special production model. The serial number is T738XX. The barrel is stamped Colt Combat Python. It is one of two firearms I will never part with. The other is my great grandfather's Single Action Army in 32-20

 

[deller]

Combat Python

Good morning gentlemen. I had an offer of $2500.00 in 2007. My most recent offer was $4500.00 and I'm holding out until it reaches $5500.00.
Wish I had a dozen of them in mint condition.