Exclusive: The
Impossible Python

In 1955 Colt introduced the soon to be legendary Python. Originally conceived as a sort of “super-grade” target revolver, the looks and sheer je ne sais quoi of the overall package soon had it in the holsters of savvy cops and citizens alike. If you had a Python — you had the best. Or at least Colt advertising told you so.

The run lasted until 1999 when Colt cited the changing marketplace, stopping production of the vaunted Python. It was still produced in strictly limited numbers by the Colt Custom Shop until 2005, but then the door slammed shut for good. Period. No-way, no-how, never again. Some insider info says what also occurred is basically, the tooling was so worn it would have taken a huge investment to re-tool to build — what at least Colt assumed — was an out-of-date design. Didn’t they look at the Single Action and learn anything?

Since then, the market for Pythons has exploded, with values jumping from around the $1,200 to $1,500 range for a nice one three or four years ago, to $3,000 for a “shooter” and $5,000-plus for something nicer, maybe with a box, or nearly unfired, today. And they are going up better than any stock or investment you’ve ever heard of. I’ve seen $10,000 Pythons sold on Gunbroker.com, often unusual or limited run models, but those same guns were $2,500 guns two years ago. Hello Colt, are you listening?

A Collector’s Luck

Since this isn’t a Python history lesson, let’s get going about that bit of magic which occurred. A Colt Python collector recently contacted me with a story. And frankly, I didn’t believe him.

At first.

“I have the last Colt Python made at the Colt factory,” he told me in an e-mail.

I thought, well, that’s sort of interesting. After all, the first and the last of just about anything can be interesting to have. Tell me more, I told him.

Then he said the jaw-dropper.

“It was made by a Colt Custom Shop gunsmith — in 2014,” he added. Just like that he stopped me in my tracks.

Can’t be, I thought. Could never have happened.

That’s when the collector told me the “rest of the story” as they say.

It seems this collector puts ads in various publications saying things like, “Colt collector looking for Pythons” and he gets people calling him. A gent phoned saying he had the last Python Colt made, which of course peaked our collector’s interest. Digging deeper the gent who called him told a story about working at the Colt factory in the Colt Custom Shop as a gunsmith and personally building the last Python to come out of the factory — in October of 2014.

The collector told me he had sirens going off warning “Scam alert!” — so he dug deeper. What he found out led him to ultimately contact us, and led us to touching base with the Colt gunsmith who built this final Python.

The Build

During the build process it was discovered the serial number indicated the frame Dave had discovered belonged in fact to an 8″ barreled model so he needed to source, fit and time a new 8″ barrel since it had the 6″ installed for some reason. This explains the additional 6″ barrel which came with the gun.

As Dave said, “It was already fit to the receiver so why not ship it with the gun?”

After the rough gun was built and passed the head spacing tests, the cylinder was ranged to the barrel then it was test fired for function and accuracy.
“At that point,” added Dave, “additional action work still needed to be performed. From there it went to the custom shop polishers where it received the ultimate stainless finish with matte bead blasted ‘rounds’ the gun has now.”

The impossible gun was built: A 2014 vintage Colt Python. It was all due to the drive of a Custom Shop gunsmith who simply wanted to show his bosses he had the talent and skill to make it happen.

“After building it I decided to ask permission to buy it,” Dave told us. “I really didn’t expect to be able to do so but I guess management was impressed with my desire to make myself more valuable to the company, and they allowed me to purchase the Python.”

And who says good work doesn’t get rewarded!

It Gets Better

Even with this story I had my doubts and was hesitant to run with this. But Dave put them all to rest. He produced an original Colt factory letter of authenticity when he sold the gun to the collector who contacted me. We’ve reproduced the letter here.

The letter lists the manufacture date of October 14, 2014, and has all the details, including David’s name (the builder/original buyer), the additional 6″ barrel and all three grips which were included in the sale. Bingo.

Game, set, match. This is the real deal.

The collector also has all the shipping information, the shipping box, photos of the Python on the work bench and in the Colt polishing area, all the texts between him and Dave, and of course an eye-catching 8″ Python in the Ultimate Bright Stainless finish.

Oh, and it just happens to be the very last one ever made. There’s that too, you know.

What’s it worth? What’s the last 1911 actually handled by John Browning himself worth? What’s the last, unfired, new-in-the-box pre-64 Model 70 worth? What’s the .22 rifle your grandfather used as a kid, now sitting in your rifle rack worth? The one you’re going to pass to your kid?

Did we mention this was the last Python ever made? We may have.

Subscribe To American Handgunner