Python Question

H

HarryHaller

Inactive
I got my 2.5 inch Satin Nickel Python. I'm told it was manufactured in 1981 (Is it a good year for quality). It's serial number starts k613XX. Does anyone have any information on when this gun was made? Was it made in 1981? Is the satin nickel the original finish? and any relevant info a need to know about this gun. Thanks for your help.
BTW how can i post a 900kb picture?
 
I have a similar Python. My serial is K42XXX and I know it was made in 1981. Although mine has a 6" barrel, it has the same finish as yours. I have the original box since I bought the gun new and it is not satin nickle, it's called EN and it stands for electroless nickel. It's a very durable finish and I believe it is probably more rust resistant than stainless with the smoothness of carbon steel. Colt didn't make very many of the EN guns since shortly afterwards they switched to stainless. I would advise you to hang on to it since it's not your every day Python. Mine is very well finished with an extremely smooth action. I don't know if 1981 was a good or a bad year but my gun is a good gun and that's what you go by. Any factory can turn out a bad gun at any time although extra care was used in making Pythons and most I've seen were very well put together. I've shot mine quite a bit and it is as tight as the day I got it.
 
k613XX was made in 1981.

The "K" series numbers for that year started at K16266, and ended with K75747, at the end of the year.

The dull nickel finish was Satin Electroless Nickel.
Colt listed it as Electroless Nickel, and later as "Coltguard".

In advertising, they often referred to it as "Satin Nickel.

EN Colt guns are not exactly rare, but are NOT common.
The Python with the finish is somewhat less common, since most people wanted either bright blue or bright nickel.

Of the Pythons sold with the EN finish, I'd bet it's a toss-up of which is the most rare: the 2 1/2" or the 8".
In any case, you have a somewhat rare Python.
 
Oh, to have my Pythons back.

Howdy,

All this talk of Pythons is making me jealous! Quite rubbing my nose in it or else I'm gonna "tell" :p

Larry C.
 
BTW how can i post a 900kb picture?

BTW how can i post a 900kb picture?... i want to post the python's picture to gather some opinions...thanks
 
Right now, the Python is temporarily out of production so new machinery can be installed.

Apparently, the Custom Shop will assemble you a new Python from parts, until regular production starts again.

The Colt Custom Shop is world famous.
From the very beginning in the 1840's, Colt would modify a Colt firearm anyway the customer wanted.

Some Custom Shop alterations included:
Special, non-standard barrel lengths, or thicknesses.
Custom engraving and inlay work with gold, silver, or precious stones.
Custom grips of fancy wood, ivory, or other materials.

In short, anything you wanted that you could pay for.

Today, the Custom Shop still does true custom work on Colt firearms.
Although, the Custom Shop catalog lists mostly engraving and finishing on the Single Action Army, and similar work on other Colt guns, Colt will still do true custom work of about any sort you can pay for.

They also specialize in restoring and refinishing Colt firearms.
For instance, if you have a Colt Trooper or Government Model pistol with a standard blue job, they can refinish it with a Python-quality blue job.

In short, what they can do is limited only by your imagination and wallet.
 
Mr Dfariswheel, really good sales presentation! :rolleyes:

Seems expensively for my humble desert :)

Seriously, Colt is going to restart Pythons mass production soon?
 
opinions....

need to know how you see the pictures,,.... does it look original?.... are the EN a good finish?,.....
 
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The finish on the revolver is probably original (EN is quite tough), but those rubber Pachs probably aren't. I think all rubbers put on Pythons had Colt medallions. Nickel itself is a tough finish and the high polish shows up all scratches, but the EN doesn't show the scratches as easily.
 
Use a solvent like cheap paint thinner, a good liquid kitchen cleaner like 409, or standard bore solvent to wipe the finish off.
This will remove any fouling or stains that CAN be removed.

DO NOT allow bore solvent to stand on the plating, since this can damage nickel. When cleaning the chambers and bore, or the exterior, use the bore solvent as you normally would, then immediately wipe it off.

Scratches in the finish CANNOT be removed without damaging the finish.

Some people will tell you to use a mild abrasive polish like Flitz, but be aware they ARE abrasive and will damage the finish if over used or used with any pressure.

In any case, scratches are scratches, and the only way to "remove" them is to have the finish stripped and re-plated.
Any attempts to "polish them out" does so by thinning the REST of the finish.

This is no less than "removing" scratches in wood by sanding.
You aren't removing the scratch, your sanding everything else down to it's level.

In the case of finished wood or metal plated finishes, this ruins the coating.

Bottom line, either have the gun refinished, or live with the scratches.
 
Beautiful python there buddy, you maybe wanna get your self a set of python boot grips from Badger grips. I just got set #1.If you hurry you can get #2.:) Jim Badger does excellent work,you must check out his website.Python boot grips arnt listed,but he will make em for you.He sent mine before I even paid him.You can select your wood.
 
leonard

You don't happen to have any pics of your Python with those boot grips? A nice old Python has been on my wish list for a number of years now. I have never been able to decide whether I want the 2 1/2" or 4". But one of these days...... :D

I have always wanted a blued Python but I have to admit that EN finish looks great.
 
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