stainless or nickled Colt Python

[Dravur]

I purchased a new gun today, A Colt Python, 4" barrell. Now here comes the problem.

The serial number is 41xxxE and I dont have a book with the numbers for the years. The gun is either nickeled or it is in Ultimate Stainless finish that Colt offered on this pistol in 1985+. The gun has been fired, but a very low count as the gun is very clean, scratch free and it is a beauty if you like shiny guns... It also locks up like a bank vault.

Now for the problem, is it nickel or is it Ultimate Stainless? Honestly, its hard to tell. It does not seem to have that yellow tint that I have seen on other nickeled guns. I have a .38 Super in Ultimate Stainless and it sure looks more like that to me.

Question, does anyone out there have a Colt book with the years and serial numbers? If I can narrow down the year, i can tell whether this is nickeled or not. Either way, i love the gun, just curious what it really is. I will post a pic tonight, just to show it off.

Picked it up for $650. It came with a Hunter holster <wheeeee> and 3 speedloaders. Anyone need a Holster?

 

[dfariswheel]

41xxxE was made in 1976.
The numbers that year started at 15001E and ended at 48299E.

So, your Python is a nickel model.

Other good ways to ID nickel or stainless guns are:
Stainless guns have an "S" stamped inside the barrel shroud where the ejector rod fits, and on the rear of the cylinder, stamped on the cylinder bushing under the ejector.

Also, if a Python is shiny under the grips on the frame, it's nickel, since Colt didn't polish the hidden areas of the frame.

 

[gopguy]

Dravur, You got a sweet deal. That revoler around here would bring between $750-$900 without the box. Enjoy!

 

[Dravur]

Here is the pic

Hereis the gun. It does have a few light scratches on it, but im going to put on a set of American Elk grips from eagle grips and a Tyler T-grip and go Old School on this peice. Also thinking of picking up a black Sharkskin holster for this from Rafter S, if they make Python Holsters.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

Is the type of stainless (303, 304, 316, ?) used for firearms manufacture magnetic?

 

[Jim Watson]

416 mostly.
Yes.