How much *DID* Walking Dead contribute to Pythons collectors premium?

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

I see it mentioned a lot about the Colt Python and the Walking Dead. I know the main character , Rick Grimes carries a Python (yes I've watched the first season) and not to make this topic stray too far from guns, how much did the show affect the Pythons price in actuality?

The Python was Colts flagship product, and finest production/semi-production revolver that money could buy. Also a gem and icon of the 20th century. Most modern revolvers copy the Pythons full underlug design that the Python set forth. When a business decision as discontinuing these was made, it was only a matter of time that the price would soar through the roof.

I admit, I never much noticed the Pythons desirability until the following years after the show in question was made. But to say it was entirely the shows fault doesn't add up. Smith & Wesson doesn't make their Model 27 revolver the same way they used to, and original Model 27s also demand a premium.

Was it just the gun ban scare of 2012 overall that gave certain guns a huge price increase? I know AR-15 prices of same time period rose through the roof as well, but after a few years went way down. But the Python , not being made (the same way it was) anymore the prices would only continue to increase.

 

[chicharrones]

I watched several seasons of that show with my step-son years ago.

To me, the Python in that show spoke to the middle aged (or older) guy that grew up when cops carried revolvers. My step-son and his generation seemed to care little for revolvers, especially with the proliferation of AR type guns in that show.

Makes me think what percentage of viewers were/are middle aged (or older)? I figured most that watched that show were millennials or younger?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Very little...

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Watched only a small portion of the first episode after hearing how good it was. What a stupid show. I doubt it contributed to the current value of Pythons at all.

 

[BearBrimstone]

I would say that it increased demand somewhat, but even before I owned my first gun or really knew anything about guns I had heard of a Colt Python from other pop culture references to it well before The Walking Dead.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

The only thing The Walking Dead made me want was a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire

 

[Tommygunn]

The only thing The Walking Dead made me want was a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire

They're sold on Amazon.com.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

They're sold on Amazon.com.

I can go to Big R and get some Barbed Wire and a Louisville Slugger

 

[Tommygunn]

Don't forget the industrial strength staples to attach the barb wire!

 

[Virginia Jim]

Back in the ‘70’s, my first wife’s father bought a nickel Python. I was 23 and thought it was the coolest gun in the world. A few years after she and I divorced, he blew his brains out with it in their dining room. A hole.
I went out and bought one.

 

[AlexanderA]

The whole premise of The Walking Dead is silly. Choosing weapons based on the show is even sillier.

 

[chicharrones]

I happen to working at home today, and my 22 year old stepson is here, so I quizzed him about firearms on that show.

Without question, to him the Python is the only iconic firearm on that show. He's not a gun person, but he knew the Python by name without me mentioning it. Yet, he has no desire to own one.

Besides, he spends his money on other things and at his age a Python is unobtainium in price.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

The only thing The Walking Dead made me want was a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire

Fortunately the TV remote worked on my first attempt at changing the channel, didn't have to go to the ball bat.

 

[Iggy]

I was introduced to the Python back in 1969.. It was a beautiful weapon.. I couldn't afford one then and still can't.

Watched about 30 seconds of walking dead and that was too much.

 

[GBExpat]

Watched only a small portion of the first episode after hearing how good it was. What a stupid show.

HAHAHAHAHAHA ... IMO, a succinct & perfect summary.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I reckon, I'll be the first to admit I watched every show....With that said, I can only recall the gun in question being called a Python one time.

 

[jmorris]

Never watched it I got my Python over 30 years ago.


I had to go look up what was on TV back then but Baywatch and Doogie Howzer and other tv programs I didn't watch, also didn’t influence any of my purchasing decisions back then.

 

[GBExpat]

... how much did the show affect the Pythons price in actuality?

I think that you may be correct and the show (re-)acquainted much of the public with the Python. That said, I doubt that the show-generated bump was very large as the Python has always commanded a premium price.

I have always thought that the Python is an attractive revolver, but I have never had a desire to own one.

 

[entropy]

I had Pythons long before Rick Grimes came along. Wish I still had them. Before the show came out, $2000 was a high priced Python. You can't touch one now for that. Dang you Rick Grimes!

 

[AustinTX]

Python prices were already moving steadily upward before the show debuted, just like the prices of dozens of other desirable out-of-production guns. I don’t think the show had nearly the effect that many seem to think.

Whatever effect it did have was concentrated at the shooter-grade segment of the Python market. Prices for the most desirable vintages and variants were set, and continue to be set, by collectors.

 

[1KPerDay]

They were already crazy before. I actually didn’t know about the hype related to the show until people started commenting on my videos about it. I don’t watch the show.

but there’s no doubt that popular culture has been influential on its continued popularity.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

HAHAHAHAHAHA ... IMO, a succinct & perfect summary.

Meh, there are lessons to be learned (or at least reinforced) from TWD as it relates to post-apocalyptic survival in general, if thats your thing. Replace the zombies with a pandemic infected desperate populace and some of the problems they face are very relevant. As for them being stupid, well, people make stupid decisions all the time, especially when faced with imminent demise.

As far as the zietgeist awareness of the Python, I would say it was a factor, particularly with younger folks.

 

[FlSwampRat]

I see it mentioned a lot about the Colt Python and the Walking Dead. I know the main character , Rick Grimes carries a Python (yes I've watched the first season) and not to make this topic stray too far from guns, how much did the show affect the Pythons price in actuality?

I bought my first Python in 1974. First time I remember seeing one as a prop on a tv show was Starsky and Hutch.

It's hard to quantify what effect, if any, an appearance on a television show would have on the value but I do know the Pythons were selling for about what Anacondas were and now they're a lot more, the only thing that seems different is the much ado the show made about the Python.

I'm sure it had some effect, but without some kind of real study, it's hard do say if that's the only reason the gun has gone up so much over it's big brother the Anaconda. In truth, fewer Anacondas were made, by far, then Pythons which makes them more rare which it seems would make the .44 the more valuable of the two. <Shrug>

 

[ontarget]

How many of you guys went to the flea market and bought one of those cheapie survival knives with the compass on the hollow handle right after you watched the first Rambo movie back in the 80s?
Don't lie, a lot of you had one of those pieces of crap. Me included but I was only 12 y.o.
Just saying that pop culture DOES effect people's buying decisions.

 

[CraigC]

Anything is possible but I have a hard time believing people would pay thousands for a revolver because of a TV show. As I type this, I have to wonder how many people bought Colt SAA's and other single actions because of TV and movie westerns.