Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this DESIRABLE double-action snake series revolver with a fascinating history, for a penny-start auction; this is the Colt Python!
This Colt Python stands among the rarest and most historically important examples ever released from Colt’s possession, having been part of three of the company’s most prestigious internal collections before it ever left the factory. Originally displayed in the office of Walt Gleason, Colt’s Manager of Customer Services, this revolver was later preserved in the revered Colt Archive Collection, where only the finest and most significant examples of the company’s craftsmanship were retained for historical reference. It was then elevated to the exclusive “Chairman’s Collection,” an elite assemblage reserved for Colt’s most extraordinary and irreplaceable firearms—pieces that exemplified the pinnacle of the brand’s artistry, engineering, and legacy. To have a single revolver that passed through all three of these legendary collections is virtually unheard of, placing this example in a category all its own. This is not merely a Python—it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a factory-crowned masterpiece, a symbol of Colt’s golden era of precision and pride. Serious collectors will recognize this as one of the most important and desirable Pythons ever to reach the open market—an investment in both heritage and history.
This example remains New Old Stock, showing no evidence of consumer use or handling whatsoever.
According to the Colt factory letter, this Python was shipped on August 19, 2016, to Newington Gun Exchange, located at 210 Market Square in Newington, Connecticut.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Python
Serial: 40329E
Date of Manufacture: 1976 & 1998 (According to https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup/)
Model: Python
Serial: 40329E
Date of Manufacture: 1976 & 1998 (According to https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup/)
Date of Shipment (According to the Colt Factory Letter): August 19, 2016
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Finish: Royal Blue
Barrel Length: 2 ½"
Optics/Sights: Pinned Black Serrated Ramp Front with Adjustable Notched Rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered Walnut with Gold Rampant Colt Medallions
Action: Double/Single-Action Revolver
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Smith & Wesson’s dominance in the .357 Mag. market changed forever in 1955; however, when Colt introduced its first revolver chambered in .357 Mag: the Python. By all accounts, Colt executives also considered this to be the finest revolver the company produced at the time. No expense was spared in the manufacturing process, from the revolver’s timing and lock-up to its Royal Blue finish. This would be the pinnacle of Colt’s manufacturing prowess and remains—to this day—one of the finest revolvers ever made, no matter the caliber. Originally, it was introduced in Colt’s spectacular Royal Blue finish with a 6-inch barrel length. Most folks will tell you that a vent rib on a gun barrel is for heat dispersion to maintain accuracy without being thrown off by the wiggly, mirage-like blurriness caused by excessive heat rising off the barrel. That all makes sense, but the designer of the Python, Al Gunther, stated that the vents were primarily there to reduce the gun's weight. The gun originally had a hollow barrel lug, also to reduce weight, but it still came in at 43 ounces. Eventually, the barrel lugs were made solid to add weight to the gun at the barrel end.
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Finish: Royal Blue
Barrel Length: 2 ½"
Optics/Sights: Pinned Black Serrated Ramp Front with Adjustable Notched Rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered Walnut with Gold Rampant Colt Medallions
Action: Double/Single-Action Revolver
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Smith & Wesson’s dominance in the .357 Mag. market changed forever in 1955; however, when Colt introduced its first revolver chambered in .357 Mag: the Python. By all accounts, Colt executives also considered this to be the finest revolver the company produced at the time. No expense was spared in the manufacturing process, from the revolver’s timing and lock-up to its Royal Blue finish. This would be the pinnacle of Colt’s manufacturing prowess and remains—to this day—one of the finest revolvers ever made, no matter the caliber. Originally, it was introduced in Colt’s spectacular Royal Blue finish with a 6-inch barrel length. Most folks will tell you that a vent rib on a gun barrel is for heat dispersion to maintain accuracy without being thrown off by the wiggly, mirage-like blurriness caused by excessive heat rising off the barrel. That all makes sense, but the designer of the Python, Al Gunther, stated that the vents were primarily there to reduce the gun's weight. The gun originally had a hollow barrel lug, also to reduce weight, but it still came in at 43 ounces. Eventually, the barrel lugs were made solid to add weight to the gun at the barrel end.
Subsequently, the Python was offered in 2.5-, 3-, 4-, 6- and 8-inch barrel lengths, and some 8-inch Pythons came factory equipped with a hunting scope, making the Python the first revolver to be equipped—out of the box—ready for hunting. The incorporation of Colt Accro and Elliason rear sights allowed the gun to be zeroed for both windage and elevation. The oil-finished, checkered American walnut grips with the gold Colt medallion rounded out the presentation that came with a whopping $125 price tag—almost double the MSRP of Colt’s Trooper model. Demands were made for other finishes besides Royal Blue, so over the years, Colt offered the Python in Bright Nickel, satin electroless nickel known as "Coltguard," and in the early 1980s, in satin stainless steel, and in bright mirror polished stainless steel, variously known as Bright Polish or Ultimate Polish. Between 1955, when it was introduced, and 1997, when production ceased for the first-generation Python, more than 750,000 were produced.
Contents:
Contents:
This example will ship with the factory-labeled white box, light blue Colt Custom Shop box, Colt factory letter, and all other contents as pictured above! This example remains New Old Stock, showing no evidence of consumer use or handling whatsoever.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
We have an amazing inventory of classic and collector firearms that we are adding to Gunbroker daily. Stay up to date on all of our latest auction by adding us to your favorite sellers list.
About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
