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Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this gorgeous double-action revolver today for a penny-start auction, this is the Colt Custom Shop Python!
According to the accompanying Colt factory letter, this exceptional Colt Python—serial number 56843E—came with a 6-inch barrel and Colt’s lustrous Royal Blue finish, widely regarded as one of the finest blued finishes ever applied to a production revolver. This example was specially outfitted at Colt's Custom Shop with premium features, including a custom-tuned action for an ultra-smooth trigger pull and an Elliason rear sight. It was shipped on April 29, 1977, as part of a five-gun shipment to Northeast Gun & Supply Company, doing business as Ivanhoe Sports Center, located at 6 Brook Road in Needham, Massachusetts. This documented revolver and the presence of Colt's Custom Shop premium features significantly increase its desirability to serious Colt collectors and enthusiasts.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt Custom Shop
Model: Python
Serial: 56843E
Date of Manufacture: 1977
Caliber: .357 Magnum / .38 Special
Finish: Royal Blue
Barrel Length: 6" Full-Lug Barrel with Ventilated Rib
Optics/Sights: Pinned Patridge Blade Front with Adjustable Elliason Rear
Stock/Grips: Third Type Walnut Grips with Checkering and Gold Colt Medallions
Action: Double/Single-Action
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 wiggling, 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 weighed 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. Incorporating Colt Accro and Elliason rear sights allowed the gun to be zeroed for windage and elevation. The oil-finished, checkered American walnut grips, featuring the gold Colt medallions, rounded out the presentation, which 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, a 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 of the first-generation Python ceased, more than 750,000 were produced.
Contents:
This example will ship with the matching factory-labeled box, a Colt Factory Letter, additional grips, and all other contents 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.