Colt python question

Mycroft · May 15, 2019, 03:35 PM

I noticed that the Colt Python that I own has 2 different serial #(one on the frame and another on the cylinder) The local shooting range tells me that both #'s indicate that it was manufactured in 1979.The numbers are about 200 apart.All indications are that it came from the factory that way.Has anyone encountered this situation before?

A point of clarification,one number is on the frame the other is on the cylinder arm near(under) the ejector rod.

CPO15 · May 16, 2019, 06:33 AM

I can’t address your issue, but I’ll bet you can get an answer over here:

https://www.coltforum.com/forums/python/

Mycroft · May 16, 2019, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPO15

I can’t address your issue, but I’ll bet you can get an answer over here:

https://www.coltforum.com/forums/python/

Thanks for the link,I checked both #'s with Colt and found they correspond to guns manufactured in 1978.Colt archives say that the gun could have left the factory that way but it is unlikely.Anyone have thoughts on how this effects the value of the gun.

CPO15 · May 16, 2019, 11:22 AM

It cannot help the value for a serious collector, may not be important to someone who wants a “shooter grade” gun. I’d see it as a “Frankengun”.

Seriously, ask on the Python forum. Those folks know much more than I and may have seen this issue before.

Mycroft · May 16, 2019, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPO15

It cannot help the value for a serious collector, may not be important to someone who wants a “shooter grade” gun. I’d see it as a “Frankengun”.

Seriously, ask on the Python forum. Those folks know much more than I and may have seen this issue before.

I tried to register on that site but for some reason I wasn't able to do so,the entry code they e-mailed me to enter for sign up was 31 characters long(tried it twice) but it didn't work. Thanks for the help.I will give the code one more shot

Jim Watson · May 16, 2019, 03:12 PM

Both mine match.
I always say Colt is not real careful about such stuff, but a collector would be put off by the mismatch.

lamarw · May 16, 2019, 03:33 PM

I obtained Certificates several years ago on two of my Colt firearms. The Certificates, I assume you would call it, are nice frameable documents with the basic details about the guns. I want to say they were $50.00 each or maybe it was $75.00.

It would be hard to justify spending a hundred to a hundred and fifty dollars on two certificates for each of your two serial numbers. On the other hand, it would be most interesting to see the outcome and where they were shipped. One would think Colt has the information available on all their manufactured serial number from the last fifty or so years.

Mycroft · May 16, 2019, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamarw

I obtained Certificates several years ago on two of my Colt firearms. The Certificates, I assume you would call it, are nice frameable documents with the basic details about the guns. I want to say they were $50.00 each or maybe it was $75.00.

It would be hard to justify spending a hundred to a hundred and fifty dollars on two certificates for each of your two serial numbers. On the other hand, it would be most interesting to see the outcome and where they were shipped. One would think Colt has the information available on all their manufactured serial number from the last fifty or so years.

That was my thinking as well,Colt archives were less helpful than I hoped they would be.I may return to their website and see if I can learn more there.You bring up a good point about where they or it was originally shipped and when.

Doc Holliday 1950 · May 16, 2019, 06:19 PM

Mycoft,
Are you the original owner? If not, could the 2 different serial numbers be because the original owner had the Python repaired & either that person didn't know or didn't want anyone else to know?

Mycroft · May 16, 2019, 10:46 PM

I am not,I had considered that possibility, the local range/gun shop guy says that the gun shows no evidence of having been repaired.He says Colt's quality control was a bit suspect at that time and they were shipping guns out the door with whatever they had laying around.

Fast is fine but accuracy is everything...........In vino veritas

Dfariswheel · May 17, 2019, 06:54 PM

I don't recall Colt stamping serial numbers on any Python cylinders, and not at all in the late 1970's models if they ever did.

Of course I don't know everything about Colt Pythons so I recommend continuing to try to get on the Colt Forum for a more definitive answer.

If you continue to have problems email the mods.
Use the "Contact us" link at the bottom of the forum page.

Doc Holliday 1950 · May 22, 2019, 12:31 AM

I too looked on my cylinder & saw no numbers. This is very weird. Colt is not ez to contact. I am trying to get a left handed ITW holster for my NIB, soon to be delivered, 3" King Cobra in 357 magnum & they insist that they don't have one. Also they sent me to Midway & one other but they too had zip.

ms6852 · May 22, 2019, 12:51 AM

I'll have to check mine, but in all honesty I never ever really paid any attention to see if there was ever a serial number on the cylinder .

Jim Watson · May 22, 2019, 08:09 AM

The extra number is on the crane, not the cylinder. At least mine are.

tipoc · May 22, 2019, 02:36 PM

Mycroft, I see you are over to the Colt forum with this question.

I'll attach that discussion here as well.

https://www.coltforum.com/forums/pyt...-serial-s.html

tipoc

May 15, 2019, 03:35 PM	#1
Mycroft Junior Member Join Date: May 15, 2019 Posts: 5	Colt python question I noticed that the Colt Python that I own has 2 different serial #(one on the frame and another on the cylinder) The local shooting range tells me that both #'s indicate that it was manufactured in 1979.The numbers are about 200 apart.All indications are that it came from the factory that way.Has anyone encountered this situation before? A point of clarification,one number is on the frame the other is on the cylinder arm near(under) the ejector rod. Last edited by Mycroft; May 15, 2019 at 05:02 PM.

May 16, 2019, 06:19 PM	#9
Doc Holliday 1950 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2014 Location: Bout as south as it gets Posts: 1,238	Mycoft, Are you the original owner? If not, could the 2 different serial numbers be because the original owner had the Python repaired & either that person didn't know or didn't want anyone else to know? __________________ Shoot well and be Accurate, Doc

May 22, 2019, 12:31 AM	#12
Doc Holliday 1950 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2014 Location: Bout as south as it gets Posts: 1,238	I too looked on my cylinder & saw no numbers. This is very weird. Colt is not ez to contact. I am trying to get a left handed ITW holster for my NIB, soon to be delivered, 3" King Cobra in 357 magnum & they insist that they don't have one. Also they sent me to Midway & one other but they too had zip. __________________ Shoot well and be Accurate, Doc

May 22, 2019, 12:51 AM	#13
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	I'll have to check mine, but in all honesty I never ever really paid any attention to see if there was ever a serial number on the cylinder . __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

May 22, 2019, 02:36 PM	#15
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	Mycroft, I see you are over to the Colt forum with this question. I'll attach that discussion here as well. https://www.coltforum.com/forums/pyt...-serial-s.html tipoc __________________ 1. All guns are always loaded. 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger till you are ready to shoot. 4. Identify your target and know what is beyond it.

May 16, 2019, 06:33 AM	#2
CPO15 Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2010 Location: Near Fincastle, VA Posts: 148	I can’t address your issue, but I’ll bet you can get an answer over here: https://www.coltforum.com/forums/python/

May 16, 2019, 11:22 AM	#4
CPO15 Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2010 Location: Near Fincastle, VA Posts: 148	It cannot help the value for a serious collector, may not be important to someone who wants a “shooter grade” gun. I’d see it as a “Frankengun”. Seriously, ask on the Python forum. Those folks know much more than I and may have seen this issue before.

May 16, 2019, 03:12 PM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Both mine match. I always say Colt is not real careful about such stuff, but a collector would be put off by the mismatch.

May 16, 2019, 03:33 PM	#7
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I obtained Certificates several years ago on two of my Colt firearms. The Certificates, I assume you would call it, are nice frameable documents with the basic details about the guns. I want to say they were $50.00 each or maybe it was $75.00. It would be hard to justify spending a hundred to a hundred and fifty dollars on two certificates for each of your two serial numbers. On the other hand, it would be most interesting to see the outcome and where they were shipped. One would think Colt has the information available on all their manufactured serial number from the last fifty or so years.

May 16, 2019, 10:46 PM	#10
Mycroft Junior Member Join Date: May 15, 2019 Posts: 5	I am not,I had considered that possibility, the local range/gun shop guy says that the gun shows no evidence of having been repaired.He says Colt's quality control was a bit suspect at that time and they were shipping guns out the door with whatever they had laying around. Fast is fine but accuracy is everything...........In vino veritas

May 17, 2019, 06:54 PM	#11
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	I don't recall Colt stamping serial numbers on any Python cylinders, and not at all in the late 1970's models if they ever did. Of course I don't know everything about Colt Pythons so I recommend continuing to try to get on the Colt Forum for a more definitive answer. If you continue to have problems email the mods. Use the "Contact us" link at the bottom of the forum page.

May 22, 2019, 08:09 AM	#14
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	The extra number is on the crane, not the cylinder. At least mine are.