Help on Python with E-Nickel

[broknaxl]

Guys, I'm going Thursday to look at an 8in Python that the guy says is E-Nickel . Did they only offer the Python in the Royal Colt Guard finish?? I asked if it was stainless and this guy tells me they didn't make Pythons in stainless and had 3 different grades of E-Nickel. So if this turns out to be a matt or satin looking gun I would tend to think it's a refinsh - He's asking $2,100.00 LNIB - with all the paperwork. I don't know the serial # yet to date it.
Also would these have rubber stocks or the classic wood Target style??

[myellowc5]

I have 3 E nickel Pythons although no 8 inch and all have rubber grips and the serial numbers range K58510 through K74947. These all appear like a satin finish stainless

[Kanatak]

broknaxl, I believe your seller is misinformed. Here are some pointers that I think you can rely on. Others, I hope will join in if I have veered off track:

- Yes, Colt produced Pythons in stainless steel. The fact that the seller does not know this indicates he may not know, and probably does not know much about Pythons finished in Royal ColtGuard.

- If the seller has the original box with its original and matching Colt label, this would be crucial for you in determining the type of finish. Without the original label, a Colt letter is the next alternative.

- Royal ColtGuard is the name Colt attached to Pythons finished in Colt's "electroless plating process", per Colt's 1981 and 1982 Catalogs.

- Yes, Colt produced Pythons (and 8" Pythons) in Royal ColtGuard (RCG), first cataloged in January 1982. All common barrel lengths, 2 1/2, 4, 6 and 8 inch, were offered. These cataloged Pythons were offered with "TS" or wooden target stocks, per Colts 1-1-1982 Retail Price List. I have seen 8" RCG Pythons with rubber Pachmayr stocks, although I have no idea if they were issued in this manner. During the earliest years of Colt issuing rubber Pachmayr stocks on Pythons (1980), the model number on the box label would include a "P" suffix, indicating the Python was factory stocked with rubber Pachmayrs.

- If you inspect the Python and it has what appears to be a "Satin Nickel" finish, and the gun has not been refinished, it should be a Royal ColtGuard specimen. Again, the original Colt label will serve as confirmation. The only other possibility would be a situation where a polished nickel finish was buffed to a dull finish, but that would be easily detected, and the label would indicate a "N" finish.

- Colt did not have 3 grades of E-Nickel Finishes. Colt used different names for this finish depending on the model it was applied to. Trooper MKIIIs, for example, were finished in "ColtGuard", while Pythons were finished in "Royal ColtGuard" and at some point, "E-Nickel" became a common term used by Colt for all of its models. If the box label you will be inspecting indicates the Python has an "E-Nick" finish, then this is Royal ColtGuard.

- By 1984, I do not see any offerings in Colt's catalogs or price sheets for any of the ColtGuard finishes on any of its models. I suspect there are not a lot of these Pythons out there. I know I do not see many and practically none LNIB.

I think the price may be reasonable to good if, and only if the original box with correct and matching label, are included. Otherwise, there is no way for you to confirm the original factory configuration of the Python, assuming no Colt letter.

Please let us know what becomes of this opportunity, and the very best of luck.

[A1A]

The Python was announced in Royal Coltguard (electroless nickel) in the 1982 catalog. That means some was likely done beginning within 1981. It was still offered in the 1983 catalog although stainless had been introduced. It was not listed in 1984. There was standard Coltguard offered on the MkIII line and Royal Coltguard offered on the Python. The difference was only in the polishing of the base metal the same as the difference with Royal Blue. Those were the only electroless nickel finishes offered by Colt at that time and it is my understanding they were subcontracted to Nitex. Colt also offered a satin nickel which was only cataloged for semiautos, but one might expect it could have been special ordered on other models. It was electrolytic nickel as used for the bright nickel finishes, but given a brushed finish after plating. Electroless nickel finishes done as special orders or after market refinishes by Colt after that time were and are likely contracted out to someone else and the finish certainly may be somewhat different in quality and/or appearance from the Coltguard era. This is my understanding, usually subject to debate and always subject to Colt oddities.

[Kanatak]

I have 3 E nickel Pythons although no 8 inch and all have rubber grips and the serial numbers range K58510 through K74947. These all appear like a satin finish stainless

myellowc5, hope all is well, we should compare notes soon.

Do the Colt box labels for these Pythons indicate "E-Nick"? If not, what reference does Colt use in the "Finish" field on the labels? Thanks.

[broknaxl]

Thanks guys ! I'll let you know what happens. A friend of mine is definately buying a 4in Nickel gun from this gentleman and I'm going to look at the 8in but I'm not sure about spending that much money right now.

[myellowc5]

Kanatak ,Great info as usual and we will get together again soon. Here are the box labels of the 2 of mine that had the boxes unfortunatley the 2 1/2 did not have the box. Bought all 3 from same guy and 99% sure they are the boxes as shipped.

broknaxl I'm also looking for an 8 inch if you are not interested please let me know although it would really need to be in a mint condition for me at that price

[myellowc5]

Broknaxl,
Did you look at this on Thursday?

[broknaxl]

Yeah, I went out there and my friend ended up buying both of them. I'll see if he'll let me take some pictures and post them. The guy that had em has a bunch of Colts and is in the process of opening a brick & mortar GunShop in Princeton, IL - His prices are, lets say close to fair. Some are a little high, but in the ball park, others are reasonable. Plus he will haggle a little.
He also mentioned that he had someone from Keystone Firearms interested, I told him to tell Keystone that broknaxl grabbed it ! LOL (well actually my friend) Sorry Keystone !!

[Kid Sopris]

...He also mentioned that he had someone from Keystone Firearms interested, I told him to tell Keystone that broknaxl grabbed it ! LOL ....

Chop Busting 101...