Posted: 1/4/2013 2:20:57 PM EDT
| I have my uncle's colt python which was given to him as a gift just before his first deployment to Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. He carried it in a shoulder holster throughout 3 tours. The grips do not have the colt medallions in them and I am wondering whether they are original or replacements. They are very dark in color and have a brass colored grip screw. They are completely smooth and pretty low profile. If they aren't original, I'm interested in finding originals for it. The serial number is 43xxx. Thanks for any insight! |
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Your Python was made in 1965.
The numbers that year started at 43,000. 1969 started at 50,000. The grips are not original. Genuine factory Colt Python grips would have Gold Colt medallions, a blued steel grip screw, and a blued steel bushing on the right hand grip, NO bushing on the left side. They would be checkered American Walnut, unless someone sanded the checkering off. A 1965 Python would almost certainly have had the Second Type Target grips when shipped from Colt: Note the circular checkering border under the Gold medallions, the "thumb rest" on the left side ONLY, and the raised checkering above the surrounding grip. 
Here's the Third Type Colt Target grips. Note the straight line checkering under the medallions and the thumb rest on BOTH sides. These were used from the later 1970's to the early 1990's. 
Unfortunately, genuine Colt Target grips are EXPENSIVE these days, usually selling for at least $200. Beware of fakes and Asian made "replicas". The fakes and replicas almost always have brass screws and bushings, and are often made of Asian woods, often garish figured wood. You can usually find genuine Colt Target grips on Ebay and the gun auctions, but bring a loaded wallet. |
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dfariswheel is the man when it comes to Colts. I just did a little search for the value of Python grips on the Coltforum and found out that prices for second generation grips start at $200 and at $250 for like new ones, even achieving prices of $300 is not uncommon.
Prices for Pythons and accessories have moved up a lot lately. |
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Quoted:
I have my uncle's colt python which was given to him as a gift just before his first deployment to Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. He carried it in a shoulder holster throughout 3 tours. The grips do not have the colt medallions in them and I am wondering whether they are original or replacements. They are very dark in color and have a brass colored grip screw. They are completely smooth and pretty low profile. If they aren't original, I'm interested in finding originals for it. The serial number is 43xxx. Thanks for any insight! How about some pics of the old war horse? |