Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this double-action revolver today for a penny start auction, this is the Colt Python!
This example is the SCARCE 2 1/2" barreled model!
According to the included Colt Factory Letter, this example was shipped to Newington Gun Exchange at 210 Market Square in Newington, Connecticut on August 19, 2016.
According to the further remarks: "It is of further interest to note that subject revolver was originally delivered to Walt Gleason, Manager of Colt Customer Services, on November 15, 1976, for office display. Subject revolver was subsequently placed into the Colt Archive Collection on September 7, 1994, until its shipment from the factory as described above.
Donald Zilkha, as the founder of Zilkha & Company, arranged the financing and raised the funds that allowed Colt's Manufacturing Company to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 29th, 1994. At that time, he assumed the title of Chairman of the Board and later served as the Company's CEO for a brief period of time. Mr. Zilkha relinquished his duties as Chairman on July 13th, 2013. Mr. Zilkha, along with his partner, John Rigas, decided to donate a significant portion of the Company's historically significant firearms to the Connecticut State Library to ensure their safekeeping.
The above described firearm was retained as part of the "Chairman's Collection", a separate collection of important and unique firearms retained by the partners. These are unique pieces important to the history of Colt firearms and the accompanying documentation attests to their particular lineage."
This example is the SCARCE 2 1/2" barreled model!
According to the included Colt Factory Letter, this example was shipped to Newington Gun Exchange at 210 Market Square in Newington, Connecticut on August 19, 2016.
According to the further remarks: "It is of further interest to note that subject revolver was originally delivered to Walt Gleason, Manager of Colt Customer Services, on November 15, 1976, for office display. Subject revolver was subsequently placed into the Colt Archive Collection on September 7, 1994, until its shipment from the factory as described above.
Donald Zilkha, as the founder of Zilkha & Company, arranged the financing and raised the funds that allowed Colt's Manufacturing Company to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 29th, 1994. At that time, he assumed the title of Chairman of the Board and later served as the Company's CEO for a brief period of time. Mr. Zilkha relinquished his duties as Chairman on July 13th, 2013. Mr. Zilkha, along with his partner, John Rigas, decided to donate a significant portion of the Company's historically significant firearms to the Connecticut State Library to ensure their safekeeping.
The above described firearm was retained as part of the "Chairman's Collection", a separate collection of important and unique firearms retained by the partners. These are unique pieces important to the history of Colt firearms and the accompanying documentation attests to their particular lineage."
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Python
Serial: 40329E
Date of Manufacture: 1998 (According to Colt Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 2 1/2"
Optics/Sights: Pinned Serrated Blade Front / Adjustable Rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered Walnut w/ Inlaid Colt Medallions
Action: Double
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, this was also considered by Colt executives 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, so you can 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 weight of the gun. The gun originally had a hollow barrel lug to also 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. Eventually, the Python was offered in a nickel finish that evolved into a bright, mirror-like stainless steel finish that made the Python one of the most visually impressive firearms on the market.
When Colt began offering the Python with 2 1/2" barrel, Colt legend says that it 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. The Colt Python was intended for the premium revolver market segment. Between 1955, when it was introduced, and 1997 when production ceased for the first-generation Python, more than 750,000 were produced.
Contents:
This example will ship with the factory-labeled box, the blue Colt box, and the factory letter 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.
Model: Python
Serial: 40329E
Date of Manufacture: 1998 (According to Colt Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 2 1/2"
Optics/Sights: Pinned Serrated Blade Front / Adjustable Rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered Walnut w/ Inlaid Colt Medallions
Action: Double
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, this was also considered by Colt executives 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, so you can 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 weight of the gun. The gun originally had a hollow barrel lug to also 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. Eventually, the Python was offered in a nickel finish that evolved into a bright, mirror-like stainless steel finish that made the Python one of the most visually impressive firearms on the market.
When Colt began offering the Python with 2 1/2" barrel, Colt legend says that it 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. The Colt Python was intended for the premium revolver market segment. Between 1955, when it was introduced, and 1997 when production ceased for the first-generation Python, more than 750,000 were produced.
Contents:
This example will ship with the factory-labeled box, the blue Colt box, and the factory letter 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 $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
