How much more durable are those new finishes? NOTE: My nickel plated gun pictured on this page is a half century old and has been used throughout the last 50 years (not stored in a safe). The Bright Nickel model was discontinued with the introduction of the more durable satin stainless and mirror-polished Ultimate Stainless models. The Python was originally available in two finishes: Royal Blue and Bright Nickel. Originally, Colt manufactured Pythons with hollow underlugs but quickly left them solid to add stabilizing barrel weight. A full barrel underlug, ventilated rib and adjustable sights combine to give the gun its unique look. 357 Colt Python wearing period elephant ivory grips Use the Colt Serial Number Database Lookup Tool.ġ962. The Pythons from the 1955-1963 era were all hand made and hand finished (prior to CNC machining and mass assembly line production). Pythons produced from 1955 to 1969 have no letter in the serial number and are the most desirable to collectors. The Colt Python was first introduced in 1955 as Colt's top-of-the-line model.

I love your web site and hope it continues to grow.Colt Python The finest production revolver ever made. So as far as quality of the parts in a Colt revolver: the ones produced on modern CNC machines were most likely superior to the older hand made versions. By 1980 they were very reliable, easy to program and produced very high quality components, much more so than a good machinist on a manual machine. In the beginning, one needed to know a great deal about electronics just to keep them going. One of the main reasons was the cost of the equipment and high degree of training to program and operate older CNC machines. Most machining was done on manual machines before that. It really did not have much of an impact until the mid to late 70’s. I have been in the CNC machining business since its introduction to the manufacturing industry. 'You made a statement that CNC machining had an impact on the possible quality or value of guns made after 1965.

CNC Machining Info Provided by Ron (Thank you Ron, very insightful)

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