Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this BREATHTAKING double-action revolver today for a penny start auction, this is the Colt Custom Shop Python Elite!
According to the included factory letter, this Colt Python Elite was shipped to Williams Shooters Supply at 1813 Quintron Way in Quincy Illinois on December 23, 1997.
**Don't forget to bid on the consecutive serial numbered sister for this set to stay together for future generations of collectors!!! Simply type item number 974097107 into the search bar OR you can click "Seller's other items"
This particular example is part of a two piece consecutive serial set! This example sports the serial number (#PE00746) and the matching pair in the other auction bares the serial number (#PE00747)!
YOU CAN FIND THE OTHER CONSECUTIVE SERIAL NUMBER EXAMPLE LIVE ON GUNBROKER NOW BY TYPING #974097107 IN THE SEARCH BAR!
Production of the Python continued as a production line gun until the late 1990's.With the Colt company in financial difficulties and having lost some of their best craftsmen, Colt moved production into the Colt Custom Shop in 1997 and made it a custom order only revolver. To highlight this move, the Python had the name "Elite" added to the barrel and it became the Colt Python Elite.
This example was manufactured in the FIRST year of production!
According to the included factory letter, this Colt Python Elite was shipped to Williams Shooters Supply at 1813 Quintron Way in Quincy Illinois on December 23, 1997.
**Don't forget to bid on the consecutive serial numbered sister for this set to stay together for future generations of collectors!!! Simply type item number 974097107 into the search bar OR you can click "Seller's other items"
This particular example is part of a two piece consecutive serial set! This example sports the serial number (#PE00746) and the matching pair in the other auction bares the serial number (#PE00747)!
YOU CAN FIND THE OTHER CONSECUTIVE SERIAL NUMBER EXAMPLE LIVE ON GUNBROKER NOW BY TYPING #974097107 IN THE SEARCH BAR!
Production of the Python continued as a production line gun until the late 1990's.With the Colt company in financial difficulties and having lost some of their best craftsmen, Colt moved production into the Colt Custom Shop in 1997 and made it a custom order only revolver. To highlight this move, the Python had the name "Elite" added to the barrel and it became the Colt Python Elite.
This example was manufactured in the FIRST year of production!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Python Elite
Serial: PE00746
Date of Manufacture: 1997
Caliber: .357 Magnum / .38 Special
Finish: Royal Blue
Barrel Length: 4" ventilated rib barrel
Optics/Sights: Orange ramp front / Adjustable micrometer white outline rear
Stock/Grips: High gloss laminated wood w/ finger grooves and silver Colt medallions
Action: Double/Single Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The old Colt action design was a product of the late 1890's. It was complex, and required that the action be literally hand fitted. The action was built using over-sized forged parts in which a fitter would assemble the action by filing, stoning, and even bending parts to get a working revolver. In line with the desire to make the Python the finest revolver ever made, Colt had the action even further polished and tuned to give the best possible trigger pull. So concerned was Colt that the Python would be the best ever made, for the first two years only Al DeJohn and one other man built every Python produced by Colt.
After they burned out from the demand for new Pythons, Colt put the Python into standard production using their best people. Colt was almost immediately flooded with demands that they offered the Python in a 4" barrel for police use, and the first 4" barreled Pythons were advertised as the Colt New Police Python, although that name was never stamped on the gun. Soon, Colt began to offer the Python with a 2 1/2" barrel. Colt legend says that the 2 1/2" Python started off as a joke by two Colt managers who wanted to play a practical joke on a senior manager. They had a Python shortened to 2 1/2" and showed it to the intended victim. At the time, the idea of a short barreled revolver with the powerful, heavy muzzle blast of the .357 Magnum was considered to be ridiculous. Instead of laughing, the manager handled the snubby Python and liked the feel so well, he ordered it into production.In time the Python would also be offered in an 8" barrel and in a short run of extremely rare 3" barreled versions.
Demands were made for other finishes beside Royal Blue, so over the years Colt offered the Python in Bright Nickel, satin electroless nickel known as "Royal Coltguard", and in the early 1980's in satin stainless steel and in bright mirror polished stainless steel, variously known as Bright Polish or Ultimate Polish.
The Python was only sold in two calibers: the standard .357 Magnum and the Colt Python Target in .38 Special with an 8" barrel. Colt did make experimental Pythons in other calibers, including .22LR, .22 Magnum, a .256, and in .41 Magnum. None of these guns were ever made in more than a very few experimental examples, and none were sold as production guns. From time to time Pythons in calibers other than .357 and .38 turn up, but these are invariably not factory guns but conversions done by gunsmiths. In the mid-1980's Colt issued a catalog featuring a pair or .22 LR Pythons on the cover. Colt announced that they'd intended to produce .22 LR Pythons but after the catalog was already printed they'd changed their minds and no production .22 models were made. One knowledgeable collector says that Colt definitely made prototype Pythons in .22 LR and in .22 Magnum, but thinks that they were not functioning revolvers.
Production of the Python continued as a production line gun until the late 1990's. With the Colt company in financial difficulties and having lost some of their best craftsmen, Colt moved production into the Colt Custom Shop in 1997 and made it a custom order only revolver. To highlight this move, the Python had the name "Elite" added to the barrel and it became the Colt Python Elite.The Elite was exactly the same gun as the standard Python with only the barrel stamp being different. Production of the Python finally ended in 2003-04.The Colt Python Elite was introduced to fill a void in the market after the discontinuation of the original Python. The name is synonymous with rigid construction and captivating styling.
Contents:
This example will ship with the factory labeled colt custom shop box, factory letter, and all contents are pictured above! This example is in what we believe to be in ASTONISHING condition showing no indications of consumer use or handling that we can see. "most likely new old stock"
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.
Model: Python Elite
Serial: PE00746
Date of Manufacture: 1997
Caliber: .357 Magnum / .38 Special
Finish: Royal Blue
Barrel Length: 4" ventilated rib barrel
Optics/Sights: Orange ramp front / Adjustable micrometer white outline rear
Stock/Grips: High gloss laminated wood w/ finger grooves and silver Colt medallions
Action: Double/Single Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The old Colt action design was a product of the late 1890's. It was complex, and required that the action be literally hand fitted. The action was built using over-sized forged parts in which a fitter would assemble the action by filing, stoning, and even bending parts to get a working revolver. In line with the desire to make the Python the finest revolver ever made, Colt had the action even further polished and tuned to give the best possible trigger pull. So concerned was Colt that the Python would be the best ever made, for the first two years only Al DeJohn and one other man built every Python produced by Colt.
After they burned out from the demand for new Pythons, Colt put the Python into standard production using their best people. Colt was almost immediately flooded with demands that they offered the Python in a 4" barrel for police use, and the first 4" barreled Pythons were advertised as the Colt New Police Python, although that name was never stamped on the gun. Soon, Colt began to offer the Python with a 2 1/2" barrel. Colt legend says that the 2 1/2" Python started off as a joke by two Colt managers who wanted to play a practical joke on a senior manager. They had a Python shortened to 2 1/2" and showed it to the intended victim. At the time, the idea of a short barreled revolver with the powerful, heavy muzzle blast of the .357 Magnum was considered to be ridiculous. Instead of laughing, the manager handled the snubby Python and liked the feel so well, he ordered it into production.In time the Python would also be offered in an 8" barrel and in a short run of extremely rare 3" barreled versions.
Demands were made for other finishes beside Royal Blue, so over the years Colt offered the Python in Bright Nickel, satin electroless nickel known as "Royal Coltguard", and in the early 1980's in satin stainless steel and in bright mirror polished stainless steel, variously known as Bright Polish or Ultimate Polish.
The Python was only sold in two calibers: the standard .357 Magnum and the Colt Python Target in .38 Special with an 8" barrel. Colt did make experimental Pythons in other calibers, including .22LR, .22 Magnum, a .256, and in .41 Magnum. None of these guns were ever made in more than a very few experimental examples, and none were sold as production guns. From time to time Pythons in calibers other than .357 and .38 turn up, but these are invariably not factory guns but conversions done by gunsmiths. In the mid-1980's Colt issued a catalog featuring a pair or .22 LR Pythons on the cover. Colt announced that they'd intended to produce .22 LR Pythons but after the catalog was already printed they'd changed their minds and no production .22 models were made. One knowledgeable collector says that Colt definitely made prototype Pythons in .22 LR and in .22 Magnum, but thinks that they were not functioning revolvers.
Production of the Python continued as a production line gun until the late 1990's. With the Colt company in financial difficulties and having lost some of their best craftsmen, Colt moved production into the Colt Custom Shop in 1997 and made it a custom order only revolver. To highlight this move, the Python had the name "Elite" added to the barrel and it became the Colt Python Elite.The Elite was exactly the same gun as the standard Python with only the barrel stamp being different. Production of the Python finally ended in 2003-04.The Colt Python Elite was introduced to fill a void in the market after the discontinuation of the original Python. The name is synonymous with rigid construction and captivating styling.
Contents:
This example will ship with the factory labeled colt custom shop box, factory letter, and all contents are pictured above! This example is in what we believe to be in ASTONISHING condition showing no indications of consumer use or handling that we can see. "most likely new old stock"
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 $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $65.00
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.
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.
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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.
