Colt Python 3" barrel

[dfariswheel]

The grips on the 2 1/2" are original to the snubby Python.
Those grips are commonly known as "Service" grips, and are the same grips Colt put on the Official Police and most of their other medium frame revolvers since the early 1900's.

The only real difference in those type grips is the Official Police usually had silver medallions, and the Python had gold.

AS FAR AS I KNOW, the 3" Pythons usually had the "Target" grips, only the 2 1/2" model had the "Service" grips.
I THINK the stainless 3" Pythons had rubber grips.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I believe some blued Pythons were shipped from the factory with black rubber Pachmeyer grips with gold Colt medallions. That would have been during the 1980s.

 

[ejohne]

Today I sent for a Colt factory letter ("letter of provenance"). Should be interesting. I will post info from the letter, but don't hold your breath!

 

[ejohne]

It is original!

Today I received my factory letter from Colt. The revolver was shipped to a dealer in West Allis, Wisconsin on 3/15/83 with a 3 inch barrel and Royal Blue finish. The type of stocks was not listed. I am very excited!

 

[Monkeyleg]

West Allis, Wisconsin? The only shop that's been there for as long as I can remember is The Shooters Shop. I wonder if they still have the 4473?

 

[ejohne]

Dick, it was "Don Streicher Guns, Inc," 2465 South 84th Street, West Allis, WI, which is the same address as the Shooter Shop!

 

[Monkeyleg]

ejohne, before The Shooters Shop was The Shooters Shop, it was indeed Don Streichers Guns. Streichers moved into the police equipment supply business, a family bought them out, and the name was changed to The Shooters Shop.

Streichers moved a couple of miles away into new headquarters, and garnered a healthy share of the guns/ammo/accessories business throughout the midwest. I regularly receive catalogs from them that advertise M16A2's for $600--for police departments only, of course.

The Shooters Shop has since changed hands once again, with my friend now owning the place.

It would be interesting to track the ownership of your Python, if only because stranger coincidences have happend. I once bought a S&W model 629 Classic (blued stainless, with gold roll stamping) from the Shooters Shop. Without ever having fired it, I decided to trade it to the store for another handgun.

This was maybe 12 to 15 years ago.

Last year at the outdoor range I belong to, a shooter brought out the same model revolver. You don't see many of these, so I started asking questions: where did you buy it, when did you buy it, what's the serial number, etc. Turns out it was my traded S&W.

Congrats on a great revolver.