Colt Combat Python

[horse gunner]

Just bought a Colt Pythom like new in the Box,It has marked on the barrel combat Python.it has a three inch barrel cal 357. Blue in colour.Paid 500 CDn,What do I have ,never heard of a combat Python,Any collector value or just a shooter. Thanks for any info

Horse Gunner
NB Canada

 

[Standing Wolf]

If it actually has a three-inch barrel, it's rare. To the best of my knowledge a few hundred were made for a distributor.

dfariswheel will have the definite facts.

 

[horse gunner]

Combat Python

Yes it has three inch barrel,The gun came into Canada and was bought by a friend of mine in BC about 15 yrs ago.Is dfariswheel a site on the internet?

Horse Gunner

 

[GUNKWAZY]

Nice find.
You've got a keeper and you stole it.
3 inch Pythons are the rarest of barrel lengths. A lot of them are NOT marked combat Python either.

It may be worth about 3-4 times that from what I've seen.

Congrats.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[horse gunner]

3 Inch Python

Thanks for the info,do I dare shoot it?,was looking for a shooter.Any way will put it way in a clean dry safe till I decide what to do with it.

Horse Gunner
canada

 

[GUNKWAZY]

NO, if it's mint in box, do not shoot it.
Either sell it and buy a 2.5 or 4 incher to shoot and hide the extra cash from the wife, or put it up and buy a shooter.

That's what I would do.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'd shoot it. I'm an accumulator, not a collector.

dfariswheel is one of our two or three most knowledgeable Colt afficionados, as well as a clear, concise writer.

I think the distributor was Davidson's, but I could be mistaken.

If you paid $500 Canadian for it, you got the deal of the decade.

 

[JCM298]

I think dfarriswheel is a member here but you'd get a number of responses on the Colt Forum:

http://www.unitedforums.com/cgi-bin...lt+Revolvers&number=7&DaysPrune=10&LastLogin=

I posted a link to this thread on the Colt forum.

Since it's so damp in NB, you can send that to me and I'll store it for you,

John

 

[mattz357]

$500 Canadian would be a good deal for any barrel length Python! I wish I could find one in good shape for $500USD! Now that you've told us about it, you have to post pictures... it's a rule.

 

[dfariswheel]

Of all the various barrel lengths, the 3" Python is the rarest.

Back in the early 1980's Colt made up a short run of 3" Pythons for a big distributor in California.

These are variously known as "Combat Pythons" or sometimes "California Combat Pythons".

After the run for the distributor, Colt offered their own 3" Python for a short time.
The Colt production version was simply marked as a Python with no special barrel markings.

Colt made these in blue, "possibly" in bright nickel. I "seem" to remember seeing them in stainless steel also, but I could well be wrong about this.

3" Pythons are very rare, and on the few occassions when one does come up for sale, they bring prices ranging from sky-high to insane.

One problem: After Colt stopped production of the 3" Pythons, they sold the unused barrels to Gun Parts Corporation.
Gun Parts sold an unknown number of these barrels on the commercial market, and a GOOD many 3" Pythons are actually guns that were rebarreled with one of these spare barrels.

In the case of a 3" Python it's absolutely a case of "buyer beware".

In your case, you have the first version, made for the distributor, and so marked on the barrel, and probably on the box, so you don't have to worry that this is a fake.

I'd recommend NOT shooting the gun, unless it's already been shot.
This will preserve it's New In the Box collectability value.

I don't have a feel about market value on this rare Python, but since there were few made, and collectors would be crazy for a NIB gun, I'd say it would be between $1500 and $2000 dollars.

 

[horse gunner]

Colt Combat Python

Well thanks eveyone,for all the info on the gun.The gun is want I would call test fired,and is like new or excellent in condition.The box does match the gun so it is a combat Python.I got the gun for a deal because in Canada the goverment passed a law several years ago that all hand guns,with a four inch barrel or under are prohibited restricted,but if you had a gun under this new bull law you were considered Grandfathered and could keep it and only sell to another grandfathered person.This has cut down the sellers market to young buyers,as they cannot get a lic for these guns with short barrels.I was going to put longer barrel on an use as a shooter,but will not.So now I have to find another pistol to shoot tin cans in back of the barn.Will post phot ASAP

Horse Gunner
Canada

 

[PJR]

It's a very good price even for Canada but not nearly the steal it would be in the USA.

Here are a some examples translated into USD at current exchange rates. These are store prices and not private sales.

4" Python, blue, 95% mid-70's manufacture,with two spare Pachmayr grips, 6 speedloaders for $355USD.

4" Python, blue, 99%, 1981 manufacture, $500USD. By Canadian standards I paid too much for this one however the action and finish on it are better than I've seen on any other. I suspect it went through the Colt shop before it was shipped north. The blueing is the nicest I've seen on any gun including ultra high end shotguns.

Meanwhile, the 6" Pythons go for prices very similar to those being asked in the US.

And if you collect military pistols it will break your heart. I was recently offered privately a late 1930's Luger with all numbers matching, all the right markings, two magazines, correct period holster and tools. It looked like it had just rolled off the assembly line. $400USD. I turned it down because it was too nice to shoot and this gun deserved a better home than I could give it.

Paul