I have one like new mint condition serail no. T73XX I might sell it? e-mail [email protected]
I'm going to guess that the reason they altered the original 8" 38 Special Pythons is that nobody wanted them at the time.Maybe I can be of some help re the California Combat Python 3" as I do own one of the 200 made. The info posted is largely correct. Just to clarify, if you get the authentication letter from Colt Archives, it will show .38 special, 8" barrel length, date shipped (mine was January 30, 1981) and shipped to Pacific International Merchandising Corp. These 200 were the first 3" and the model of the 8" was I3682, which Colt confirms. Pacific International put a silver label over the beige original label showing the finish, 3" barrel length and model I3630. The barrels were cut down from 8" to 3" and should read "Python .357" on top and "California Combat" below on one side and nothing on the other side of the barrel. On the cylinder outside edge they are stamped "38 SP". The box is the faux wood grain with Colt logo and brown instruction manual and mine had a hang tag in a yellow color.