What model Python do I have?

kjonchef · September 25, 2012, 11:26 PM

I have a 1978 Python serial # V21***
It is a beautiful Colt Royal Blue 6 inch with Ivory finger position grips with gold rampent colt medallion. It has all the standard stamped markings but it is in gold filled and appears to have a target hammer.

What have I got?
Thanks,
Mike

hoghunting · September 25, 2012, 11:45 PM

Looks like a normal Python with after market grips and someone filled the lettering in with gold accents.

FoghornLeghorn · September 26, 2012, 01:38 AM

Python is Python. They don't designate them re "model numbers."

You've got a Python. That's all it is. A Python with aftermarket grips. Pity you don't have the original grips. The originals add to its value. Oh, and the gold filling in the lettering detracts from the value. I've got a Smith and Wesson 25-2 with the same thing. One of these days I'm going to remove the gold from the lettering.

There was a time when that was "cool." Sort of like those idiot wheels that keep turning even after the car stops.

It's not cool anymore.

Baba Louie · September 26, 2012, 04:15 AM

Quote:

What have I got?

A simply superb looking and shooting collectible wheelgun from days gone by. Enjoy it for ALL the right reasons.

History behind it? (family heirloom, good buy, lucky find, etc?) Really nice looking handgun kjonchef.

Oh. By the way. Welcome to TFL

CajunBass · September 26, 2012, 05:47 AM

Those might not be aftermarket grips. Those and the gold infilling might have been part of a presentation type package for a distributor. I'd ask over on the Colt Forum. Those guys would know for sure.

I still think the Gold infilling looks nice.

That is one fine looking gun.

kjonchef · September 26, 2012, 12:31 PM

Thanks Cajun Bass and Baba Louie for your informative help!
I have found out that Colt MFG. has and does make "special" runs for a lot of their guns. For example, distributors, the FBI, police organizations, elite military groups, etc.
Colt will make "special runs" of custom guns of at least 25 guns and the "special run" prices these days can be $40K+ for the run depending on what is requested. So actually, a python is not just a python at all.
I inherited this gun from my dad. He got it from a military group of vets he belonged to. He was a decorated Navy Grumman TBF Avenger Radioman/Belly Gunner in the Pacific during WWII.
This group formed in '42 and met at a reunion every 5 years. I think that this gun was made for their 35th reunion, '42-'78. I will check with the Colt MFG. Historian. They will authenticate and tell me who, where and how many were shipped, for a fee.
Thanks again for your kind words and valuable information.
Mike
PS
For the other responses that are obviously suffering from Faecal Encephalopathy, thanks anyway!

redhawk45 · September 26, 2012, 12:47 PM

Ivory stocks are quite valuable if they are real.

Baba Louie · September 26, 2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

I inherited this gun from my dad. He got it from a military group of vets he belonged to. He was a decorated Navy Grumman TBF Avenger Radioman/Belly Gunner in the Pacific during WWII.
This group formed in '42 and met at a reunion every 5 years. I think that this gun was made for their 35th reunion, '42-'78. I will check with the Colt MFG. Historian. They will authenticate and tell me who, where and how many were shipped, for a fee.

kjonchef... why didn't you say so initially then???

Because what you have is a priceless heirloom my friend. PRICELESS!

PS what group was your Father in (if I might ask) because that beautiful blueblack snake represents ALL of those Naval Aviators making one hella sacrifice. A Python Avenger... I like it.

KyJim · September 26, 2012, 01:48 PM

I'll add that in addition to any special runs, Colt also used the name "Python Elite" toward the end of production. These were just Pythons with a satin stainless steel finish.

Oh yes -- BEAUTIFUL PYTHON!

Winchester_73 · September 26, 2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Python is Python. They don't designate them re "model numbers."

You've got a Python. That's all it is.

Well, to be fair, there were some Python "models" IMO. For example, the much sought after Combat Python, the Python silhouette, Python Hunter, Python Target (38 special only), and probably a few others. In general, Pythons are Pythons, but there were Python "models" as I would describe it.

Anchor44 · September 26, 2012, 07:01 PM

WOW!
I've seen a prettier gun, just don't remember where or when.

Dfariswheel · September 26, 2012, 07:52 PM

Here's what I've got on your Python.

First, it's not a Python Elite.
The Python Elite's were the very last Pythons made in the mid to late 1990's just before the Python was discontinued.
These models were stamped on the barrel "PYTHON ELITE".

In the mid-1990's Colt didn't have enough qualified workers to build the Python as a regular production model so they moved production into the Colt Custom Shop.
To mark the move, Colt added the "Elite" marking to the barrel. These were exactly like the older Pythons with the Elite marking being the only difference.

V21*** was made in 1978. The "V" serial number prefix series began that year and started at V01001. 1979 started at V36737.

The grips are not original to the gun, since these grips were only available on the last Pythons made in the mid to late 1990's.
These grips were available in various colors of laminated woods and "bonded" ivory, with gold or silver Colt medallions or with no medallions.
You can still buy them for $85.00:

http://gungripsupply.com/

It's unlikely your Python was a Custom Shop gun since Custom Shop models are typically engraved or have special features like Target sights or a trigger job, special engraving, etc.
However, Custom Shop guns that have had a special order trigger job don't have any special markings. Only a Colt Archive letter will tell the fine details.

That's a fine example of a classic Python.

FFournier · October 3, 2012, 09:52 PM

That's GORGEOUS!!

firme67 · October 10, 2012, 10:57 PM

Great looking gun and wonderful story behind it. It doesn't have to be a "Special Colt" if it is "Special" to you. Enjoy it. By the way I have a Python Serial #V12*** made in 1978, so I believe as mentioned before you have a 1978 model also.

RamItOne · October 10, 2012, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjonchef

For the other responses that are obviously suffering from Faecal Encephalopathy, thanks anyway!

Looks very nice. I have an old colt .38 det spcl that I got from my dad. I shoot it once a year.

ExitWounds · October 11, 2012, 04:50 PM

The model python you have is the one that your begging me to buy from you lol

bamaranger · October 11, 2012, 10:40 PM

Absolutely lovely.

Skans · October 13, 2012, 10:56 AM

I would consider sending off to Colt for a letter, if you think there is any possibility that this was a special production gun. If it came from the factory that way, it will be mentioned in the letter.

NO-BODY · October 13, 2012, 07:52 PM

Thats a piece of crap gun that I'll take off your hands for a hundred bucks

September 26, 2012, 05:47 AM	#5
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	Those might not be aftermarket grips. Those and the gold infilling might have been part of a presentation type package for a distributor. I'd ask over on the Colt Forum. Those guys would know for sure. I still think the Gold infilling looks nice. That is one fine looking gun. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

September 26, 2012, 12:31 PM	#6
kjonchef Junior Member Join Date: September 25, 2012 Posts: 2	What have I got? Thanks Cajun Bass and Baba Louie for your informative help! I have found out that Colt MFG. has and does make "special" runs for a lot of their guns. For example, distributors, the FBI, police organizations, elite military groups, etc. Colt will make "special runs" of custom guns of at least 25 guns and the "special run" prices these days can be $40K+ for the run depending on what is requested. So actually, a python is not just a python at all. I inherited this gun from my dad. He got it from a military group of vets he belonged to. He was a decorated Navy Grumman TBF Avenger Radioman/Belly Gunner in the Pacific during WWII. This group formed in '42 and met at a reunion every 5 years. I think that this gun was made for their 35th reunion, '42-'78. I will check with the Colt MFG. Historian. They will authenticate and tell me who, where and how many were shipped, for a fee. Thanks again for your kind words and valuable information. Mike PS For the other responses that are obviously suffering from Faecal Encephalopathy, thanks anyway!

October 3, 2012, 09:52 PM	#13
FFournier Member Join Date: September 27, 2012 Location: Houston TX. Posts: 32	That's GORGEOUS!! __________________ Why so many guns? Cause I don't call 911!!!

October 11, 2012, 04:50 PM	#16
ExitWounds Junior Member Join Date: May 12, 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 14	The model python you have is the one that your begging me to buy from you lol __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

September 25, 2012, 11:45 PM	#2
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Posts: 1,559	Looks like a normal Python with after market grips and someone filled the lettering in with gold accents.

September 26, 2012, 01:38 AM	#3
FoghornLeghorn Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2011 Posts: 961	Python is Python. They don't designate them re "model numbers." You've got a Python. That's all it is. A Python with aftermarket grips. Pity you don't have the original grips. The originals add to its value. Oh, and the gold filling in the lettering detracts from the value. I've got a Smith and Wesson 25-2 with the same thing. One of these days I'm going to remove the gold from the lettering. There was a time when that was "cool." Sort of like those idiot wheels that keep turning even after the car stops. It's not cool anymore.

September 26, 2012, 12:47 PM	#7
redhawk45 Member Join Date: July 2, 2012 Posts: 85	Ivory stocks are quite valuable if they are real.

September 26, 2012, 01:48 PM	#9
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	I'll add that in addition to any special runs, Colt also used the name "Python Elite" toward the end of production. These were just Pythons with a satin stainless steel finish. Oh yes -- BEAUTIFUL PYTHON!

September 26, 2012, 07:01 PM	#11
Anchor44 Junior Member Join Date: September 18, 2012 Posts: 8	WOW! I've seen a prettier gun, just don't remember where or when.

September 26, 2012, 07:52 PM	#12
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Here's what I've got on your Python. First, it's not a Python Elite. The Python Elite's were the very last Pythons made in the mid to late 1990's just before the Python was discontinued. These models were stamped on the barrel "PYTHON ELITE". In the mid-1990's Colt didn't have enough qualified workers to build the Python as a regular production model so they moved production into the Colt Custom Shop. To mark the move, Colt added the "Elite" marking to the barrel. These were exactly like the older Pythons with the Elite marking being the only difference. V21*** was made in 1978. The "V" serial number prefix series began that year and started at V01001. 1979 started at V36737. The grips are not original to the gun, since these grips were only available on the last Pythons made in the mid to late 1990's. These grips were available in various colors of laminated woods and "bonded" ivory, with gold or silver Colt medallions or with no medallions. You can still buy them for $85.00: http://gungripsupply.com/ It's unlikely your Python was a Custom Shop gun since Custom Shop models are typically engraved or have special features like Target sights or a trigger job, special engraving, etc. However, Custom Shop guns that have had a special order trigger job don't have any special markings. Only a Colt Archive letter will tell the fine details. That's a fine example of a classic Python.

October 10, 2012, 10:57 PM	#14
firme67 Member Join Date: October 29, 2009 Posts: 39	Great looking gun and wonderful story behind it. It doesn't have to be a "Special Colt" if it is "Special" to you. Enjoy it. By the way I have a Python Serial #V12*** made in 1978, so I believe as mentioned before you have a 1978 model also.

October 11, 2012, 10:40 PM	#17
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,300	Absolutely lovely.

October 13, 2012, 10:56 AM	#18
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	I would consider sending off to Colt for a letter, if you think there is any possibility that this was a special production gun. If it came from the factory that way, it will be mentioned in the letter.

October 13, 2012, 07:52 PM	#19
NO-BODY Junior member Join Date: October 9, 2012 Location: ALEXANDRIA,LA Posts: 59	Thats a piece of crap gun that I'll take off your hands for a hundred bucks