Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this SCARCE double-action revolver for a penny-start auction; this is the Colt Python St. Paul Police Department Special Edition!
As per the factory letter included, this Colt Python St. Paul Police Department Special Edition, serial number V46207, was shipped to Mr. William Winkelman of Route 3, Merrill, Wisconsin, on April 11, 1980.
Further remarks state that this exceptional firearm features several unique elements, including an un-fluted cylinder with chemical etchings depicting four stages of police evolution, from horse-drawn wagons to modern police cruisers. The left side of the barrel showcases an unfurled banner inscribed with "St. Paul Police" and "1854 - 125 YEARS - 1979," while the right side displays "125th ANNIVERSARY - SPECIAL EDITION" within a similar banner. The sideplate features a badge with the inscription "1 of 200" amidst scrollwork, and the right side of the frame is engraved with "Python .357" and a St. Paul insignia, also surrounded by decorative scrolls. The revolver is equipped with plain rosewood stocks adorned with silver medallions, and the left stock features a special additional medallion.
This Colt Python is housed in a beautiful walnut presentation case with a blue interior, featuring an oval Custom Shop crest inside the cover. In the lower left-hand corner of the case, you'll find a photo-engraved brass plate, embellished with scrollwork, and inscribed with the following: A Badge marked with “of 200” and "St. Paul Police 125th Anniversary Special Edition, 1854-1979."
The owner states that this example remains New Old Stock, and we see no evidence to indicate otherwise.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Python St. Paul Police Department Special Edition
Serial: V46207
Date of Manufacture: 1980
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Finish: Nickel
Barrel Length: 6" Ventilated Rib with Full Lug
Optics/Sights: Pinned Ramp Front with Notched Rear
Stock/Grips: Plain Rosewood with Silver Medallions - The left stock also has a special medallion.
Action: Double/Single-Action Revolver
Markings: Standard - This firearm features an un-fluted cylinder with chemical etchings depicting four stages of police evolution, from horse-drawn wagons to modern police cruisers. The left side of the barrel showcases an unfurled banner inscribed with "St. Paul Police" and "1854 - 125 YEARS - 1979," while the right side displays "125th ANNIVERSARY - SPECIAL EDITION" within a similar banner. The sideplate features a badge with the inscription "1 of 200" amidst scrollwork, and the right side of the frame is engraved with "Python .357" and a St. Paul insignia, also surrounded by decorative scrolls.
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 dispensation 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.
Model: Python St. Paul Police Department Special Edition
Serial: V46207
Date of Manufacture: 1980
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Finish: Nickel
Barrel Length: 6" Ventilated Rib with Full Lug
Optics/Sights: Pinned Ramp Front with Notched Rear
Stock/Grips: Plain Rosewood with Silver Medallions - The left stock also has a special medallion.
Action: Double/Single-Action Revolver
Markings: Standard - This firearm features an un-fluted cylinder with chemical etchings depicting four stages of police evolution, from horse-drawn wagons to modern police cruisers. The left side of the barrel showcases an unfurled banner inscribed with "St. Paul Police" and "1854 - 125 YEARS - 1979," while the right side displays "125th ANNIVERSARY - SPECIAL EDITION" within a similar banner. The sideplate features a badge with the inscription "1 of 200" amidst scrollwork, and the right side of the frame is engraved with "Python .357" and a St. Paul insignia, also surrounded by decorative scrolls.
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 dispensation 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 original walnut presentation case featuring a blue interior and an oval Custom Shop crest inside the cover. Set inside the case, in the lower left-hand corner, is a photo-engraved silver plate embellished with scrollwork and the following: A badge marked with “of 200” and "St. Paul Police 125th Anniversary Special Edition, 1854-1979." Also included is the Factory Colt letter, the St. Paul Police project sketch from 3/27/79, and a non-labeled Colt box, as pictured above!
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
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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.
