Colt Python NIB - Clean or No?

[jyo]

I managed several gun stores---every new Python came in a plastic bag, oiled nicely.
Myself, I would shoot the gun and enjoy every minute of it! I would then clean and oil it nicely so it would be ready to shoot again when I felt like it…
Turn ring? Remember, all these guns were fired at the factory before shipping...

[icallshotgun88]

OP,
Don't listen to all these guys giving you a hard time about not shooting your gun. You didn't buy it to shoot it. I get that. You bought it as an investment.

Should someone give you a hard time about buying gold as investment instead of wearing it as a necklace? No.

Keep on keeping on.

But to their defense, I only buy guns to shoot them, but I'd never turn down a Python as an investment if the price was right.

[Ant45]

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.

So it's basically placenta.

[Sheepdog1968]

If your goal is to keep it and and not shoot it, leave it as is. Cleaning it will lower its value.

[russ13]

Hey guys,
I have a friend who has a python and doesn't know much about it. He told me he was looking to sell it and was asking me what there worth. It has as unknown amount of rounds through it but looks to be in about 95% condition. We took it out and it was the nicest trigger on a revolver I have ever felt. I told him in the area of $1000 to $1200. Does this sound about right??


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[doc540]

Back in the safe, "as is".

Shooters in the range bag.

[Marquand]

Hey guys,
I have a friend who has a python and doesn't know much about it. He told me he was looking to sell it and was asking me what there worth. It has as unknown amount of rounds through it but looks to be in about 95% condition. We took it out and it was the nicest trigger on a revolver I have ever felt. I told him in the area of $1000 to $1200. Does this sound about right??


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As described a value of $1500 to $1800 is more appropriate, especially here in CA. That estimate also varies based on which finish and barrel length it has but almost any clean Python fetches $1500 these days.

[Erion929]

Hey guys,
I have a friend who has a python and doesn't know much about it. He told me he was looking to sell it and was asking me what there worth. It has as unknown amount of rounds through it but looks to be in about 95% condition. We took it out and it was the nicest trigger on a revolver I have ever felt. I told him in the area of $1000 to $1200. Does this sound about right??


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Sounds perfect....call me

[Shadow]

No turn ring, it's the lighting.



Apart from the factory test, it's never been fired either.

Maybe that's what the seller told you and what justified a premium in his mind.

I don't believe that. Lighting doesn't show a ring like that. Anyway nice revolver.


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[doc540]

Maybe that's what the seller told you and what justified a premium in his mind.

I don't believe that. Lighting doesn't show a ring like that. Anyway nice revolver.


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You can believe what you want, but I've inspected enough handguns in my 50 years of ownership to determine if a revolver has been fired apart from factory testing.

And that's not just my opinion but also the opinion of two other experienced Colt collectors who have inspected it.

Stainless makes it more difficult, but a blued cylinder face is an important factor among others.

Not only has this Python not been fired, the factory "cosmoline" hasn't been disturbed on the frame outside the forcing cone.

[The Gleam]

Y
Not only has this Python not been fired, the factory "cosmoline" hasn't been disturbed on the frame outside the forcing cone.

Fixed that for you:

... wholesaler's "cosmoline" ...

[Mayor McRifle]

You can believe what you want, but I've inspected enough handguns in my 50 years of ownership to determine if a revolver has been fired apart from factory testing.

And that's not just my opinion but also the opinion of two other experienced Colt collectors who have inspected it.

I'm surprised that with your half a century of experience, plus the experienced input of the two other Colt collectors who inspected it, you still felt the need to come to a California gun forum to ask this:

Bought this today.

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

Difficult for me to keep from wiping it down, but should I leave it "as is" from the factory?

I don't plan to shoot it.

What say the expert collectors here?

With pictures, of course . . .

[GM4spd]

The factory preservative could well be there even if someone
chose to shoot it and clean it afterwards. The residual stuff still in the bag
would coat the gun again if it were put back inside. Pete

[jazman]

I don't think a more aesthetically pleasing DA revolver has ever or will ever be made than a Colt Python.

100% agree, just beautiful hand guns.

[doc540]

I'm surprised that with your half a century of experience, plus the experienced input of the two other Colt collectors who inspected it, you still felt the need to come to a California gun forum to ask this:

It's the internet...California, remarkably, still has many experienced firearm collectors.

And over the last seven or so years here I've encountered many helpful, friendly members.

My original question concerned the factory protective substance, not whether or not it had been fired. We'd already determined that.

However, of all the boxed Colts I've ever owned, this was the first to come in a bag with the factory coating.

I think we have it pretty much figured out, so now I need to give thought how to maximize my profit in this market.

I have other projects pending, and the Python will help fund them.

Thanks!