Python Progenitor

[python]

With all of the hoopla surrounding the new version of the Colt Python, I thought it might be interesting to some, to post photos of the model that spawned the "Legend". The "357" model came to be in 1954, one year before the introduction of the Python. The Python is actually a dressed up "357". The inner workings are identical. You can get more information on coltfever.com, which has some great background on Colt revolvers.

Although, the "357" would not be considered rare, this very early iteration has some features that were eliminated on guns produced after the first few months of production. Most notably, the "Duo-tone" finish, the round end sight leaf and the unblued, polished muzzle. It also has the target hammer and stocks. This would be considered a "fully loaded" version.

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[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

Ssshhhh! The Three Fifty Seven is a secret! No one is supposed to know about them outside of Colt circles.

Now the cat is out of the bag everyone will know about the and prices will go up!

I have maybe a half-dozen of them…took a while to collect them at good prices. Now you’ve gone and ruined it.

 

[python]

The prices have not hit their stride yet, but I have been offered stupid money for the one pictured.

 

[trailtoy]

One of those gins that I somehow never heard of until recently, and now I want one. The search is on.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

Here are mine...thought I had maybe six...only five...

 

[K31]

From the title I thought this was going to be a thread about Guido Van Rossum.

 

[rseymorejr]

Beautiful gun, looks a bit like the Official Police 38 special

 

[python]

I only have two. The other one is a final production run 6" from 1961.

 

[python]

Beautiful gun, looks a bit like the Official Police 38 special

They're generally confused with the Trooper which was produced at the same time, but many Colt revolvers look alike anyway.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

The Trooper and Three Fifty Seven are almost identical...the Trooper was a deluxe, adjustable sighted .38 Special on Colt's E-frame which used a hammer mounted firing pin and the Three Fifty Seven was on the I-frame which used a frame mounted firing in. Once the Python came along and became Colt's premier revolver there was little market for the Three Fifty Seven and eventually sales slowed and it was dropped from the line in 1961 with the Trooper becoming a .357 Magnum on the I-frame. The Official Police stayed the standard .38 Special service revolver.

During the '60s there were occasional production runs of the Trooper in .38 Special for police agencies that had "magnumitis" but still wanted adjustable sights.

In 1969 both were dropped in favor of the Mark III series which was less manpower intensive to make and were actually stronger guns.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Beautiful gun, looks a bit like the Official Police 38 special

Because it essentially is one .

Lengthened cylinder , and adjustable sights .

 

[Fushigi Ojisan]

OWS had a few listed on their website IIRC

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[jimbobborg]

I do like my Trooper 357, although my Trooper Mk III feels a bit stouter.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

I do like my Trooper 357, although my Trooper Mk III feels a bit stouter.

The Mark III is stouter...designed to be so.