Colt python box help

[old45guy]

Hey all,
Looking at this colt python and not sure if the box looks right. What are your thoughts? Is this all correct?

Thanks for your input

[Revoman]

I hadda 1975 Blued Python that had the 'woodtone' cardboard box just like the one you depict.
However, the Styrofoam box was a light tan color, not white. I guess that could vary through the years though.
Maybe someone more versed at the intricacies of the Colt name will chime in and we'll all learn something.

[Revoman]

I hadda 1975 Blued Python that had the 'woodtone' cardboard box just like the one you depict.
However, the Styrofoam box was a light tan color, not white. I guess that could vary through the years though.
Maybe someone more versed at the intricacies of the Colt name will chime in and we'll all learn something.

['ol shooter]

Same kind of box my 1978 Gold Cup came in.

[Colt]

Here's my '78 Combat Commander box...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1272877

[den888]

My '86 Python (recently sold) had the same wood grain box, but flap was different.

[jazman]

Python boxes are faked/misrepresented a LOT! Check in over at the Colt Forum for excellent feedback from very knowledgeable folks. There are many pages addressing Pythons, boxes, everything. They may save you a lot of money.

[beetle]

^^^ this -- check over on colt forum where the experts can you help. There are a zillion fake boxes out there for Pythons. Just check ebay and you'll find them for sale.

I have some suspicions about the one you posted, the foam and paperwork seem too clean. I have a number of mint vintage pythons and all of them have some degree of oil staining on the foam, yellowing of the papers, etc.

[Barbarosa]

Your pics look identical to the Trooper boxes I have from the mid-1970's only mine says Trooper on the end. Pretty hard to fake genuine wear and tear. Colt boxes don't hold up as well as S&W boxes.

[GM4spd]

Sorry,that is NOT a Python serial number on the box it's for a Trooper.

[old45guy]

Thanks for the info gents!

[dfletcher]

Sorry,that is NOT a Python serial number on the box it's for a Trooper.

I can't read the 1st "number" or letter of the serial number - I get the "87301" part but the only Python that lines up with is a 1968 made pistol. The box and the grips clearly aren't for a 1968 made Python. What do you think the full serial number is, or did you use a different source? The 1st looks like a "Y" to me, but that returns nothing on the Colt website.

What strikes me as odd is that if fake the fellow put the correct model number for a 6" nickel Python, but dropped the ball on something as simple as a serial number?

[dfletcher]

Hey all,
Looking at this colt python and not sure if the box looks right. What are your thoughts? Is this all correct?

Thanks for your input

Does the serial number on the gun match the serial number on the box? Is there a letter prefix or suffix attached to it, such as 87301E or 87301N?

http://proofhouse.com/colt/pyth.htm

http://www.colt.com/Customer-Services/Serial-Number-Lookup

If the box is faked and the serial numbers don't match that's a pretty clear tell. If the serial numbers are the same except for a prefix/suffix I'd say it's correct. 87301E would make it a 1978 made Python, that would certainly match the grip style and the box. Were I faking something I'd make certain all the numbers match up. But there are excellent fakes out there, hard to tell.

[Barbarosa]

I can't read the 1st "number" or letter of the serial number - I get the "87301" part but the only Python that lines up with is a 1968 made pistol.

I have that same mark on my Trooper box from the same era. Kind of in between a "y", or a sloppy "x" or "2". I gave up trying to figure it out but it's not part of the S/N. The "3661" is correct model designation for Pythons of that period.

[jazman]

^^^ this -- check over on colt forum where the experts can you help. There are a zillion fake boxes out there for Pythons. Just check ebay and you'll find them for sale.

I have some suspicions about the one you posted, the foam and paperwork seem too clean. I have a number of mint vintage pythons and all of them have some degree of oil staining on the foam, yellowing of the papers, etc.

If no one else, listen to Beetle.