Colt Python NIB - Clean or No?

[Marquand]

Thanks for the info.

I was surprised by some of the answers I got on the Colt Forum.

Some said never shipped in a bag.

Some said shipped in a bag but never with any kind of "goop".

I asked on one other forum and got mixed replies.

Figured there were a few genuine collectors here that might know if the resale of mine might be enhanced if I kept it "as is".

After all, that was the question.

Doc540, first off congratulations on getting such a lovely lady.

Secondly, as someone who sold guns for years back in the 90s and is a budding Colt collector, I've seen Colt revolvers come in bags out of the box and also seen them without bags. Not sure there was ever any consistency there. I don't recall any coming fresh out of the box dripping with goop but regardless, your Python shows evidence that someone took great care to preserve her finish and that is what is probably of greatest concern to a potential buyer.

If she were mine, I'd gently remove the goop since you don't have any idea what that goop might be or how long it's been there, wipe her dry, and lightly coat her with whatever rust preventative you prefer. That way you can verify that she it completely protected.

If you choose not to shoot it, so be it. It's your firearm and if it's role in your life is as an investment, then you should leave it unmolested, just like a rare coin. However, if it's not a dedicated investment piece, consider taking her for a run. The experience might well be worth the monetary loss of losing the NIB condition.

[kendog4570]

Nice Python. Shoot it. Can you post a picture of the right side stock?
If you have a really really really sexy hot wife, would you "shoot" her, or keep her intact and unfired for whomever comes along after you're gone??

[doc540]

Doc540, first off congratulations on getting such a lovely lady.

Secondly, as someone who sold guns for years back in the 90s and is a budding Colt collector, I've seen Colt revolvers come in bags out of the box and also seen them without bags. Not sure there was ever any consistency there. I don't recall any coming fresh out of the box dripping with goop but regardless, your Python shows evidence that someone took great care to preserve her finish and that is what is probably of greatest concern to a potential buyer.

If she were mine, I'd gently remove the goop since you don't have any idea what that goop might be or how long it's been there, wipe her dry, and lightly coat her with whatever rust preventative you prefer. That way you can verify that she it completely protected.

If you choose not to shoot it, so be it. It's your firearm and if it's role in your life is as an investment, then you should leave it unmolested, just like a rare coin. However, if it's not a dedicated investment piece, consider taking her for a run. The experience might well be worth the monetary loss of losing the NIB condition.

Much appreciated.

I've owned and shot other Pythons and can appreciate the experience.

Currently I have a tuned 629 as my match revolver, so it's all good.

[dls]

You've never bought a car or a gun to resell it and spend your profit on another project?

Done it many times.

I flipped a '69 Camaro with 29K miles and the original bias ply spare in the trunk.

I agree,

Collectors are the reason there are pristine examples of classic firearms,cars,aircraft..... If everyone was a "drive it like you'll stole it " type, we would have no pristine examples of any classics.
Let the latter continue to beat the beaters, and the collectors maintain and collect the good stuff.

[doc540]

I agree,

Collectors are the reason there are pristine examples of classic firearms,cars,aircraft..... If everyone was a "drive it like you'll stole it " type, we would have no pristine examples of any classics.
Let the latter continue to beat the beaters, and the collectors maintain and collect the good stuff.

Exactly.

I wanted that car to run hard, but I could not bring myself to change anything on it, and the 307 was below anemic.

It even had the braided copper ground straps running from the valve covers to the firewall.

So I flipped it and built a '72 Chevelle with A/C and discs, and it cruised the streets and ran high 13's.

[The Gleam]

Bought this today.

After taking it from the plastic bag, it appears to have some kind of oil/protectant on it, like "cosmoline light".

No - that's spittle from where I licked it, when I used to own it.

[Ronin2]

Have you considered having it molded into a Lucite block so it will stay pristine and valuable?

A Lucite block would be forever.

[doc540]

John Fugate has finally spoken:

"Leave it alone. I have found in the gun business over the years the guys who are genuine purist and willing to pay the most money love factory cosmoline. Wipe it all off and you have what everyone else has. Keep the gun in its purist form. That grease has been there for 40 years and its not hurting anything. Cosmoline in a way is just like patina. When you can say new in its factory cosmoline and its a bona fide fact,, its a huge upside in my opinion."

And that's what I'm going to do.

Thanks for all the input.

[The Gleam]

John Fugate has finally spoken:

"Leave it alone. I have found in the gun business over the years the guys who are genuine purist and willing to pay the most money love factory cosmoline. Wipe it all off and you have what everyone else has. Keep the gun in its purist form. That grease has been there for 40 years and its not hurting anything. Cosmoline in a way is just like patina. When you can say new in its factory cosmoline and its a bona fide fact,, its a huge upside in my opinion."

And that's what I'm going to do.

Thanks for all the input.

True - were it actually a factory cosmoline. However, I don't believe it to be "factory cosmoline". The idea is nice, but just not warranted in this situation or as evidenced from Colt as an original aspect from the factory during that period of time.

Regardless, sure, its not hurting anything either.

[SonofWWIIDI]

quick phone pic for the ring worriers


Stainless is easy to clean, but once a blued gun is fired a few times, it's hard to hide it.

[doc540]

True - were it actually a factory cosmoline. However, I don't believe it to be "factory cosmoline". The idea is nice, but just not warranted in this situation or as evidenced from Colt as an original aspect from the factory during that period of time.

Regardless, sure, its not hurting anything either.

This gun hasn't been shot or cycled since it was purchased in 1982.

What you see in the pictures is exactly how it looked when the owner opened the box for the first time.

[wolfy]

Random Thought--->

If you do not plan on pounding nails, why buy a hammer?

I could go on and on with the analogies. It never ceases to amaze me why a person would buy a gun and then not shoot it! It' a TOOL!!!!!! USE IT!!! ENJOY IT!!!

To fondle it, wipe it, gawk at it, show it off that you wont shoot it -- etc. is "weird" (IMHO!)

Better than money in the bank, that gun is only going to increase in value.

[nickel plate]

Thanks for the info.

I was surprised by some of the answers I got on the Colt Forum.

Some said never shipped in a bag.

Some said shipped in a bag but never with any kind of "goop".

I asked on one other forum and got mixed replies.

Figured there were a few genuine collectors here that might know if the resale of mine might be enhanced if I kept it "as is".

After all, that was the question.

I was also "surprised" that you placed your same calguns.net question on coltforum.com in the sub-forum "Colt Revolvers" and not in the specific sub-forum "Python" as to perhaps (IMO) not attract true knowledgeable collectors of the Python models. A turn ring is a turn ring and doesn't need to be completely hemispherical completely between all six cylinders. Your initial photo showed a turn ring-own up.

[bodger]

Well, this is a first for CalGuns. A witch hunt over a friggin' turn ring.

If the OP says it's not a turn ring, then it's probably not a turn ring. He's looking at the actual damned Python and everybody else is looking at pictures and guessing.

Nice Colt OP. Good on ya'.

[highpower]

Well, this is a first for CalGuns. A witch hunt over a friggin' turn ring.

If the OP says it's not a turn ring, then it's probably not a turn ring. He's looking at the actual damned Python and everybody else is looking at pictures and guessing.

Nice Colt OP. Good on ya'.

That's because there are a lot of hand wringers and "the sky is falling" types here on Calguns. You should have heard the angst over the Colt XM177 engraving I had done on a AR lower.