Hand Engraved & Gold Inlaid Colt Python .357 Magnum Double Action Revolver

SOLD FOR: $3,940
Make: Colt
Model: Python
Serial Number: 94279
Date of Manufacture: 1969
Caliber: .38 Special and .357 Remington Magnum
Action Type: Single and Double Action Revolver With Swing-Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “Python 357 / * .357 Magnum Ctg. *”. The right side of the barrel is marked “Colt’s PT. F.A. Mfg. Co. Hartford, CT. U.S.A.” The flat under the crane and the crane are marked “94279”, and the flat under the crane is also marked with a “Y” and “0”. The left side the trigger guard is marked at the front with “VP” in a triangle. The left side of the grip frame under the grip panel is marked “SNI” and “E”. The right side of the frame under the grip panel is marked with a “MGW” logo with two pistols and two rifles stacked together.
Barrel Length: The vent rib barrel with full underlug is nominally 4” in length.
Sights / Optics: This revolver is mounted with a square notched rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation that is pinned to the top strap of the frame. The front sight is a serrated ramp that is pinned to the top of the rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece checkered oversized rosewood that enclose the front strap and the bottom of the grip frame. The left grip has a deep thumbrest built into the top of the grip. The grips show a few handling marks, mainly on the left grip. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: The finish on the barrel and frame is a high luster blue with a matte black finish on the top of the barrel rib and backstrap. The barrel, the sides of the frame and the cylinder are all heavily hand engraved in a scroll pattern. The left side of the frame has an engraved gold inlaid bear and there is a gold inlaid mountain lion on the right side. The rear edge of the cylinder and the edges of the flutes have a gold line around their border.
Finish Originality: The finish is not original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 97% of its current finish. There are a very few tiny marks on the edges of the vent rib on the barrel and thinning and a small compression mark on the top of the front sight. There is also a small area of thinning on the right side of the barrel underlug. There are also some very light marks under the finish on the backstrap above the serrations. The cylinder has a very light drag line and marks in the grooves leading to the bolt stop cuts. The checkering on the wide hammer shows very light wear under the finish and the knurling on the ejector rod is sharp. The backstrap serrations are sharp. The screw heads in the frame are sharp but the grip screw is disfigured. The markings are clear. Scroll engraving completely covers the sides of the barrel and the frame and the cylinder. The back edge of the cylinder is gold and there is a gold filled line outlining each of the cylinder flutes. There is also a gold inlaid mountain lion on the right side of the frame and a gold inlaid bear on the left. Overall, this revolver rates in about Excellent condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The lock-up on this revolver is SOLID on all six cylinders, with no play whatsoever. The trigger is Extremely smooth in double action, and crisp and light (2 ½ lbs.) in single action. The action functions correctly. We have not fired this revolver.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Colt Python was first introduced in 1955, the same year as Smith & Wesson’s M29 .44 Magnum. The Python targeted the premium revolver market segment, and some firearm collectors and writers such as Jeff Cooper and Ian V. Hogg have described the Python as the finest production revolver ever made. This pistol is one of four we received from the same consignor that told us they were engraved by Hans Reichart for Harvey Strong sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s. The other three pistols all have the initials “HLS”, but this one does not and instead is marked with the MGW logo with two stacked pistols and two stacked rifles. Maryland Gun Works was started by pistolsmith Lou Ciamillo who specialized in custom DA revolver tuning, so it could be that this pistol was custom tuned as well as being engraved. The scroll engraving completely covers the sides of the barrel and the frame and the cylinder. The back edge of the cylinder is gold inlaid and there is a gold filled line outlining each of the cylinder flutes. There is also a gold inlaid mountain lion on the right side of the frame and a gold inlaid bear on the left. Overall, the revolver is in Excellent condition as refinished with a small spot of thinning on the front of the barrel underlug and small marks in the cylinder grooves leading to the bolt stop cuts. When it was first introduced, the tight lockup, smooth trigger pull and heavy barrel made it a perfect choice for the competition revolver shooter who wanted the smoothest and most accurate revolver they could get. Now, you can get the best looking and the smoothest and most accurate revolver made.