From last years Blue Book.
- .357 Mag. cal., 2 1/2 (disc. 1994), 3 (a.k.a Combat Python, disc., very scarce), 4, 6, or 8 in. barrel with vent rib, Royal Blue finish, full shrouded ejector rod, adj. rear sight, checkered walnut grips (prior to 1991), rubber Hogue monogrips (2 1/2 or 4 in. barrel), or rubber target (6 or 8 in. barrel) grips, 38-48 oz. Mfg. 1955-96.
Python Blue or Royal Blue Finish (Mfg. 1955-1969)
- no letter prefix or suffix in ser. no., pre 1968-1969.
100%98%95%90%80%70%60%
$1,100$995$700$600$500$395$350
Add 10% for NIB condition.
Add 50% for very early production (circa 1950s) with high polish finish and correct full checkered, non-varnished grips.
Add 35% for 3 in. barrel.
Python Blue or Royal Blue Finish (Mfg. circa 1970-1996)
100%98%95%90%80%70%60%
$1,050$950$775$675$600$500$395
The standard Python was manufactured 1955-1996, and 1997-recent production is through the Colt Custom Shop by special order only (see Python Elite listing).
During 2001-2002, Colt shipped some Pythons production to dealers with prices in $1,100 - $1,200 retail range. These guns had a slightly different (rougher) line checkering pattern on the cylinder release and hammer parts.
There were also a few Pythons mfg. in .256 Win. Mag. (circa 1961), .38 Spl. (Python Target), .41 Mag., and .44 Spl. cals. While the .22 LR and the .22 WMR (.22 Mag.) were advertised in earlier factory catalogs, they were never mass-produced - only a few prototypes exist. At least one known example of a .22 cal. Python was found at an auction, but it had only a special factory barrel sleeve for photographic purposes, and was not a shootable gun. The amount of premium on these cals. depends on how serious (and deep-pocketed) the Python collector is.
A California distributor special ordered a quantity of the first 3 in. barreled Pythons, which at the time were not available. Colt probably utilized made-up 8 in. guns and either had them modified or re-barreled, with special marking. These guns are an unusual variant (sometimes referred to as a Combat Python), and are priced similarly to later factory 3 in. barrel Pythons.
Add 10% for NIB condition.
Add 35% for 3 in. barrel.
Last MSR was $815.