Python

I bought my Python in about '79 or '80, the first thing I did is changed the grips, because they where too slippery for me.
But mine is different than above pictures, this is how mine looks.



I just looked at first pictures, mine is also like that.

Everything worth as much, as somebody is willing to pay for it.;)
 
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Both Harry's and Metalboy grips are 3rd generation Python grips, correct for 1979. Gen 2 would be about 1960/1974.

Very nice Python, BTW. I've had a fair share of them, and if I was to keep only one it would be a six inch with Elliason/Patridge sights.
 
I have a 4" blued made in 1978 - no papers/box but in pristine condition. I looked back on my records - I purchased it in 2011 - I ran across it by chance and I paid $800.00 for it.

Now, I really don't care for Pythons - just a personal thing - I'd much rather shoot an old Smith and I have a 1952 M & P that I love - BUT - I purchased my Python for an "investment". I think I have shot it twice. The year after I purchased it, I took it to an indoor range to try it out and this fellow kept pestering me when he saw what I had. I finally asked him if he wanted to shoot it - he was drooling so bad I let him run a couple of cylinders through it. On the spot, he offered me $1,200.00 for it. I told him it wasn't for sale and finally had to get a little "firm" about the fact that I didn't want to sell it.

My point is . . . it's just "crazy" what the Pythons are bringing. Yes . . they are a fine revolver and considered by some to be the "Rolls Royce" . . personally I'd rather drive a Chevy. I'm still hanging on to mine and at some point down the road, will probably sell it but for now, I'm hanging on to it. I have no doubt that they will keep going up in value as long as there are those willing and able to pay for them. Still . . . I just keep shaking my head at what they bring.

As far as value . . . you can look and see what some are selling for but it's like anything else . . . the Python is worth what a willing buyer is ready/able to pay for it. If there's another "down turn" in the economy . . . you're going to see some sell for less as folks need the money. If the economy gets better . . . the price will as well.
 
Good points Bedbugbilly...And an interesting story to boot.

Like you, I fully appreciate the old Snakes..but at the same time I just cannot fathom paying as much $$$ for 1 Snake as it would cost to get 2 nice condition P&R N-frame Smiths. Not to mention how I would avoid the divorce papers being served should I spend that much on 1 firearm.

I just don't get it and I watch from the sidelines with a sort of train wreck interest how much higher the selling prices keep climbing. It's got to end somewhere, doesn't it???
 
SaxonPig... You got the hardware!

Awesome! I learn new stuff every time I visit The Firing Line!

Here's 8 shots, hand held.... Oh yes I did shoot it.

About 12 yards, length of hallway to the garage.

Trigger is incredible.

I think I'll name her Medusa.
 

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Not a darned thing wrong with that! :)

My uncle has a 4" Bright stainless Python he bought new back in about 1980. He has only fired 3 cylinders worth out of it.
 
I have a Snake just like the one shown.I paid $700.00 for it about 6 years ago. No box or papers. I've been trying to wear it outever since but it just keeps shooting and looking brand new. Wonder when that "delicate" lockwork is going to fail?:rolleyes:
 
python prices are getting stupid. They are great guns I'd love to have one but 2k? Ugh. Thats korth money.
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Good luck finding a Korth at $2000.

...unless its extremely rough, that's not happening.
 
Good luck finding a Korth at $2000.

...unless its extremely rough, that's not happening.
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Anyone with a really rough looking Korth .357 looking to get $2K for it, PLEASE SEND ME A PM!!!
 
My uncle has a 4" Bright stainless Python he bought new back in about 1980. He has only fired 3 cylinders worth out of it.
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To each their own, I personally think its a waste of a fine shooting revolver. When you uncle passes on it will be too late to enjoy the Python. My 6" blue Python from 1980 gets shot every month at our ICORE matches. My point on it is I'll enjoy shooting it as it will do me no good going to my grave having a little shot Python in the safe when I meet St. Pete at the pearly gates:D
 
I just don't get it and I watch from the sidelines with a sort of train wreck interest how much higher the selling prices keep climbing. It's got to end somewhere, doesn't it???
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I remember when they were commonly going for $1200 or so and there were a lot of folks saying the same thing. I think the fever will wear off in time and the prices will level off, I just have no clue when that will be.

I wanted one from the time I first became aware of them back in the late '60's. They have always been a bit more expensive than other similar revolvers and, at least where I used to live, they were not common at all.

The philosophy that I have developed is that if I want something and I can afford it, the price is relatively immaterial. So if I was in a financial position to buy a Python at today's prices, I would do it without hesitation as long as the condition of the gun was commensurate with it's price.

I was fortunate enough to find a 1964 6" Python at a LGS back in 2012 for what I thought was a reasonable price of $850 OTD. While I have shot it some, I am acutely aware of how much it is worth nowadays and it doesn't get much range time.

IMG_1397-XL.jpg
 
People are trying to pick up rough shooter grade Pythons for about $1,000. These have serious cosmetic problems, more than just bluing/nickel loss. Near perfect Pythons (99-100%) seem to be selling for around $2,000 - $2,300. 98% Pythons seem to be selling for just under 2K.

I purchased a shooter grade Python several years ago for $1,000. It needed to be refinished, and I had it refinished by Colt. This shooter grade Python, however, was manufactured in 1957 and was only missing some bluing. It seems to me that shooter grade Pythons have only gone up about $300 over the past 3 years or so.
 
Name guns and name guitars appreciate at 3% compounded annually, over the last 10 years, 50 years, or 100 years.
The real outliers are Colt SAA did better and Mossberg bolt action 16 ga shotguns did worse.
Pythons have appreciated at between 4.5% and 5.5% during the 51 years I have been buying guns. That puts them at near the top of the class.
The things I can see that will make Pythons continue to appreciate:
1) top of the line
2) not making any more.
My concerns about long term Python investing:
1) Advances in technology might allow machines to fit parts and they could make more
2) Gun control laws in rich states make collecting guns difficult.
3) My heirs know nothing about guns.
 
3) My heirs know nothing about guns.
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Yep. Double yep. It's a double-edged sword, isn't it. Because of this, I've been able to find unbelievable bargains. But, what comes around goes around. I told my wife to have Rock Island Auction sell anything she or the kid doesn't want (assuming I'm 1st to die).
 
Like BAC1023 and a few others pointed out, a Korth will still cost twice as much as a comparable Colt Python.

The difference is that early Pythons are more desireable while with Korts it is more the time frame past 1969 that fetch more, with the exception of a few years in between, later ones get progressively more expensive.

I think that a python made before the 1980s in very good condition is well worth $2,000. I paid less for my 1972 vintage but bought it long ago, in 1985.
 
My Python gave me more pleasure in the past 35 years, than 2000 dollars could give me in the next 300 years.
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Editing.
What I mean is, that unused money is useless. The money is inflated, and that's why it cost as much as it does today, but than again everything else, like my house etc.
 
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Although gun show prices are yet inflated even more, the pops and I were cruising the big Tulsa gun show couple months ago. We stumbled upon a python collector. He literally had a dozen or more of every finish and every length. Not kidding. Over 100k in pythons easy. His cheapest case held the $3500+ snakes. All the way up to his highest case which he was asking well over $4k-$5k. Although they were all in pristine condition I doubt he sold very many. I'm in love with the python but like others can't justify that much dough...
 
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