Colt Python Stainless 6 in.

[Hardwoodjdc]

I have a 6 in, Colt python which I have owned about 15 yrs and considering selling. I am attempting to determine if it is satin nickel finish or satin stainless. According to the serialization charts available it was built in 1972. There seem to be a lot of people who are less than knowledgeable about these who are questioning the finish. The Colt horse does appear to at least be a light strike as the legs are visable but not well defined, the rest is fine. The bbl. markings are crisp, what do you folks think? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[PabloJ]

I know nothing about Colt revolvers, but do believe this one wears satin nickel sometimes called 'Royal Coltguard' finish.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

If your gun is a 1972, it is not SS. A stainless Python didn't come out until about 1983 or so. If you gun is a 1972, I believe it has been refinishined in the matte nickel. I don't think satin nickel or Colt Guard came out until much later.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The stainless wasn't offered that early (72) and they didn't offer a satin nickle then either. The nickle offered on the Pythons was a bright nickle.

My guess is that it was refinished after it left the factory, the shallow engraving would support this also...it might even be some form of electroless nickle or hard chrome. Unfortunately, refinishing does adversely affect the value.

 

[mmitch]

Since the screws are boogered-up and the hammer/trigger are jeweled, there is no collector value. Finish looks, from relatively soft-focused pics, like electroless nickle (Coltguard). It would, if mechanically sound, make someone a good "shooter". It does not appear, to me, to be refinished.

Mike

 

[SunnySlopes]

Somebody sent it to a gunsmith (I'm guessing not to Colt) and had it satin nickeled and the hammer/trigger jeweled. W/the screws looking like that I'd be wondering what else they did.

 

[9mmepiphany]

It does not appear, to me, to be refinished.

Mike

Colt didn't offer Coltguard in 1972. The popular all weather finishes back then were Armalloy and Metalife

 

[pendennis]

The stocks on your Python are 3rd generation stocks. A 1972 Python would have 2nd generation stocks. I own a 1973 version and it has the original 2nd generation stocks.

The side plate looks to be buffed out a bit, and the roll marks on the left side look a bit soft at the bottom.

Colt will refinish the revolver to the original finish. However, the cost is at least $325, and re-applying the roll marks will add an additional $100. However, the cost is well worth the expenditure. And you won't be able to distinguish it from a new Python. Colt also doesn't mark the frame if they refinish it. I just had it done to my ca. 1973 four inch blue.

 

[Olympus]

My guess would be a refinish. The Colt pony probably wasn't a light strike, but more likely it got polished away during a refinish.

Not sure what the dates would be, but E-Nickel is another finish that it might be.

 

[Guillermo]

I concur that it appears to be aftermarket, and the jeweled trigger would back this up.

Looks like they did a nice job.

A shooter Python...sure you want to get rid of it?