colt python

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jonodeck

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• Colt Python serial number ranges from 1955 to 1985: The sudden increase in production in 1964 indicates that the CNC machining process may have been introduced in the mid-60's. Perhaps a reader out there that has first-hand knowledge will let me know and I can post that info here.

• Year: • Serial Numbers: • Production:
• 1955 • 1 - 299 • 299
• 1956 • 300 - 1649 • 1,350
• 1957 • 1650 - 5549 • 3,900
• 1958 • 5550 - 7049 • 1,500
• 1959 • 7050 - 9099 • 2,050
• 1960 • 9100 - 13099 • 4,000
• 1961 • 13100 - 18799 • 5,700

1962 18800 - 24799 6,000
1963 24800 - 30799 6,000
1964 30800 - 41399 10,600
1965 41400 - 50499 9,100
1966 50500 - 60999 10,500
1967 61000 - 73799 12,800
1968 73800 - 89999 15,200
1969 * 90000 - 99999 10,000

*Toward the end of 1969 the letter "E" was added as a prefix to the serial number. In 1975 the letter "E" was moved to the end of the number, becoming a suffix. In 1978 other letters were used.

1969 E1001 - E6300 5,300
1970 E6301 - E21200 14,900
1971 E21201 - E38000 16,800
1972 E38001 - E53500 15,500
1973 E53501 - E61000 7,500
1974 E61001 - E83700 22,700
1975 E83701 - E99999 16,199
1975 01001E - 15000E 14,000

1976 15001E - 48300E 33,300
1977 48301E - 86200E 37,900
1978 86201E - 99999E 13,799
1978 01001N - ? ?
1978 V01001 - V36736 35,736
1979 V36737 - V88373 51,636
1980 V88374 - V99999 11,625
1980 AL01001 - AL9999 8,999

1980 LA0101 - LA9999 9,899
1980 VA1001 - VA9256 8,256
1980 K01001 - K16265 15,265
1981 K16266 - K75747 59,481
1982 K75748 - K99999 24,251
1983 T01001 - T27539 26,539
1984 T27540 - T34452 16,912
1985 T34453 - ? ?

According to the Colt Python Serial Number Table above, production of the Python peaked in 1981 (the highest production year). However, 1978 is a "question mark" due to missing information surrounding guns with serial numbers that have the "N" Suffix. If more than 9,900 Pythons were produced with the "N" Suffix, 1978 would be the highest production year.

At any rate, the five year period from 1977 through 1981 appears to be the peak demand period (Life Cycle Peak) or "golden years" of production for the Colt Python. After 1981 production numbers fall off rapidly, culminating with the gun eventually being produced by the Colt Custom Shop to order only, up until production ceased altogether.

Some very lucky person out there owns the very last Python produced by Colt. I suspect the value of that gun to a collector would be very high. However, as long as Colt remains in business the remote possibility exists that they might produce another Python, thus de-throning the "last produced Python", a proposition that could never threaten the "first Python produced".
 

jonodeck

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For me the Python is like a Porsche. Something I really, really, really want, but will probably never own. It's not a pistol, it's art.
 

Model 70

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The Python and King Cobra were the best of the Colts handguns. Never ran across a Python for sale when I could afford it. Congratulations on the find.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner
 

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