The MVP done covered some of this.
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/col.../forums/colt-revolvers/10622-colt-wood-grips-python.html?highlight=Python+grips

This is a good thing to do. I am sorry I don't have any of my grips photographed, but can help with the years I believe. I will post on this again later. I do have pics of a set of the rare 3rd series Transition grips you can use (that I sold which is why I have the pics lol). Will post later.
Edit: As far as the years listed go, these could be argued up to a year or so difference on some. I don't think anyone can pinpoint it exactly. Also different Ship dates (especially the early ones) would affect this also, meaning a gun with a lower serial number wasn't shipped until after a transition had already happened.

Gen I Full Checkered with old style medallions 1955-early 1956
Gen I Full checkered with new style medallions Early 1956-end of 1959
Gen 2, with U shaped checkering or "Smileys", 1960-1974
Gen 3 Transitional (look like the 2nd Gens with U shaped checkering but with the cutout on both sides like the 3rd gens), which I posted in post #17, very early 1974 only imo.
Gen 3 early type early with rounded edge of checkering at top, 1974-1978 (like your pic #7)
Gen 3 regular type 1979-1985, then again 1989-early 90's when wood ended on Blued Pythons (like your pic #1,2,6, and 8: these had very slight differences which I don't think anyone could ever possibly pinpoint, if so it would take someone far more experienced than me to do so)
Gen 3 with 150th Medallions 1986-early 1987 (look virtually identical like your #3 BUT has a very little 150 under the "Colt")
Gen 3 150th style WITHOUT the 150, Early 1987-1989 (like you pic #3)
From Early 90's through 1996 (last 3 or 4 years), I think everything was rubber until the Smooth Laminate Wood Grips started with the PYTHON ELITE in 1997.
NOTE these could vary, and may not be 100% Correct (have to be very close, like I say within a year or so, if not). This is just my best guess from info I have obtained through the internet, the many Pythons I have seen and the ones I have owned.

 

Thanks for the info big_gus, I've populated some of the info to a few of the grips and I'll await your future post.

Can you describe the Early Gen 3 (1974-1978), do I have any examples already shown?

I also think that there must be several variations of the Gen 3 Regular type, or multiple makers, I'll need someone to educate me on the differences of the Medallions, I can see subtle changes, but I think some of that is due to wear and patina (will search the old/archived posts as it has most likely already been discussed).

I think I have the following pictured so far from your list:
Gen 2 with U shaped checkering or "Smileys" 1960-1974
Gen 3 early type early 1974-1978 (need to identify which one)
Gen 3 regular type
Gen 3 with POST 150th Medallions "Big Pony" 1987-????

Perhaps other members can provide:
Gen I Full Checkered with old style medallions 1955-early 1956
Gen I Full checkered with new style medallions Early 1956-end of 1959
Gen 3 Transitional
Gen 3 with 150th Medallions "Big Pony w/150" 1986-early 1987

 

This is a great start, but there are additional variations, probably at least eight total, maybe more, some of which were addressed recently in this thread:

Type 1 Python stocks just sold for $780 on ebay

I would mention that the Generation I full-checkered stocks ran into 1960. Remember also that Generation II stocks come in at least two variations - the early style with a thumb rest only on the left panel and the late style with thumb rests on both panels - and that does not consider whether the backside is routed out for a "fitting ledge," thus perhaps doubling the number of Generation II variations.

One thing this thread has already done is to prove to me that even some Generation III stocks have the "fitting ledge." Another thing it has done is reveal that the most subtle variations are found in the Generation III stocks, thus fracturing what I had assumed was the single most common style into many variations, some of which are probably about as scarce as Generation I stocks (of either variation).

(Apologies to anyone offended by my "delivery.")

 

Remember also that Generation II stocks come in at least two variations - the early style with a thumb rest only on the left panel and the late style with thumb rests on both panels - and that does not consider whether the backside is routed out for a "fitting ledge," thus perhaps doubling the number of Generation II variations.

(Apologies to anyone offended by my "delivery.")

This is going to be a "working" thread that may take some time and require the contributions of many. I look forward to participating.

JudgeColt, there is an interesting sub-set of the early Type II Stocks that I will mention here. My Python SN 112XX is likely one of the earliest fitted with Type II Stocks. Interestingly the stocks were not lacquer or poly finished but seem to have an oil finish. Very soon thereafter, the Type II Stocks took on the customary poly finish.

 

Thanks Kanatak, I've added your pics/info to the list.

I've determined that I can put the following info to #8 based on one of my Pythons (grips look almost identical)
#8
- Gen III
- Manufactured - 1980
- Source - Python S/N V898XX, Thumb rests groves taper into points.

 

kanatak, when did your Python 112XX ship? Is it a 6-inch or 4-inch? I have 4-inch Python 128XX that shipped December 15, 1960. Its "half-moon" stocks have the customary finish, not the oil finish.

It will be interesting to know when 112Xx shipped, since many have been trying to pin down the transition from full-checkered to the wrap-around style. My investigation had concluded that the transition took place in 1960. Of course, unless you owned it since new, there remains the possibility that the stocks are not original to the gun.

(My apologies to anyone offended by my "delivery.")

 

 

There are so many tiny, almost unnoticeable variations on Colt Target grips, this is going to be a near impossible job to ID them all, but it's a very worthwhile effort.

One type I haven't seen posted yet are the very late Third Type grips in which the front of the grip began to be more or less cut off, leaving a wider and wider gap between the grip and the rear of the trigger guard.
Another "variation" if it is that, are the lated grips with tan colored patching material used to correct poor fit or to patch defects in the wood.
Some VERY late grips I've seen were an actual light blond color. A lot of later American guns used cheaper walnut that didn't have the brown color of better quality wood. You see this in the later Marlin 39-A where the wood got lighter and lighter.
Some of these very late Colt grips had walnut grain, but were a true light blond.

One type of Colt Target grip I've never been able to nail down as genuine Colt are the hardwood target grips.
I've seen these in First Type fully checkered and Second Type.
These were EXACT, and I mean EXACT copies of Colt factory walnut Target grips, with Silver genuine Colt medallions.
I've never see a set with Gold medallions that I was sure were original and not switched.

The First Type were stained a very dark brown, almost black color, with an oil finish.
The Second Type had a reddish-brown stain-finish to give a walnut color to the very light wood.
These were made of some sort of not so hard, hardwood. The wood under the finish is a yellow-white color with little grain and no real figure, and if sanded or worked gets a "fuzzy" surface.

I've never seen these on a gun that was verified factory original.
I suspect these were after market, possibly by Jay Scott, who was once owned by Colt, and who made exact replicas of Colt factory grips.
You have to look very close at these to see that they aren't walnut factory grips. The only "give away" is the wood under the stain has little grain and no figure.
On the First Type the give away is the almost black stain concealing the wood grain.

 

Type 2 stocks that were installed on nickel Pythons had a nickel grip screw and escutcheon installed.

 

Starting the second post of pictures (size limit exceeded for the first post)

#12
Smooth Grips (user modified, Wooden circles on backs of grips are user added), showing tan colored patching material (Patching material appears to be user added).





#13
Early 3rd Gen Transitional/Late 2nd Gen Transitional
Cutout on both sides like the 3rd Gens.





#14
GEN II
Grips are from a 6 inch c. 1960.
S/No 10357
This Python is located in Australia

 

DFW, I think #5 and #12 have some of the patching material.

Weagle99, #9 has the nickle hardware, I have seen nickle escutcheons with blued screws and vice versa, but I don't know that they weren't mixed and matched through the years.

A lot of good info surfacing...

 

A pretty good indication grips have had the checkering sanded off is when the grips are standard figured walnut.
Usually Colt only made smooth grips for limited edition guns and the grips were almost always fancy figured woods.
When you see standard walnut grips that are smooth, you can pretty well figure they've been sanded.

Another is when the grips show irregularities from the sanding. Grips #12 show these irregularities from sanding.

The patch material Colt used was a weird lighter tan than #12, and they didn't use nearly that much.
They also used small amounts on the outside to patch knots and holes.
If the outside was too bad they probably rejected them, since the patching material was rather obvious.

 

DFW, thanks for the info, I've updated #5 and #12 to show that the patch material on those two was user added, I've also added another pic to #2 which shows the left hand side medallion area close up, it looks like there may have been a small inclusion/knot in the wood that was patched.

 

Kanatak, your 6-inch Python is a fairly late 1960 gun, and mine is even later, but both are 1960 guns. I still believe the transition from full-checkered to the curved checkering pattern occurred sometime in 1960, but still do not know when it began or ended.

(Apologies to anyone offended by my "delivery.")

 

Early 3rd Gen Transitional Or late 2nd Gen Transitional, which term you prefer

Early 3rd Gen Transitional Or Late 2nd Gen Transitional, which term you prefer to use. Notice They look like 2nd Gen as far as the checkering goes, BUT have the cutout on BOTH sides like the 3rd Gens:

 

Gen 11 Grips S/No 103xx

Grips are from a 6 inch c. 1960.
S/No 10357
This Python is located in Australia.

 

Thanks everyone, I've added those photos to the listings. A lot of good examples.

 

As Big Gus post #17, early GenIII or late GenII transitional stocks. Except this set has nickel screw and escutcheon.

 

Here are photos of my 1960 6" nickel serial number 10,001 and the Colt letter. Ship date was 4/18/60 and it had the oiled grips.

 

Here are photos of my 1960 6" nickel serial number 10,001 and the Colt letter. Ship date was 4/18/60 and it had the oiled grips.


View attachment 44617 View attachment 44618

I have several 1960 pythons including one of the first 4" models all original with letters.

1960 grips are some of the rarest due to production numbers and unique features...yes a few early ones were shipped with gen1 grips.......but the rest were shipped with Gen2 type checkering with Gen 1 Oil finish and a unique medalian a skinny horse with a straight tail ..........61 and later Gen2s were gloss finished and had a normal fat horse curved tail medallians

here are some examples to review

 

This is fantastic info. I am personally very thankful as I have almost been taken on a fake set. Lately the fakes are getting very good. Thanks again.

 

Did the contour and dimensions change going from gen II to III? Does anyone have both sets that they could mate the opposite panels for a photo? I have a '63 and the originals have been sanded an resanded over and over to the point that the bottom of the grip frame is visible and they've developed a crack. I ordered a set of gen II that need some work but I just realized they are transitional type ( half circle but cut out on both sides ) the gen II look so much thinner than gen III but I could be wrong.

 

Has anyone been able to make sense out of the writing on the back of the grip. For example, some have initials in red ink, others have numbers in ink from a ball point pin, some have numbers that have been stamped and yet others with no writing at all. Was there any consistency from Colt manufacturing during the various years of production to help pin point the date of manufacture?

 

nice info

 

Does anybody know a cutoff date of the Gen II to Gen III grips? I have a 1974 Python. I am away at the present time hence no serial number...

 

Hi everyone I'm fairly new here and had a questions regarding Python Grips. My serial number is T89952 which puts is made in 1984 correct? What GEN is this and which are the correct grips?

 

I know this thread has some age to it but I too have an '84 with grip questions. Seems after exhaustive research including this thread the answer is, No one is sure but it's likely Colt used many variations of the grip for the so called Gen 3 pistols. I'm almost to the point of calling these orphan grips the Colt Hybrids.

The link where my '84 6" was offered for discussion is located here.



http://www.coltforum.com/forums/python/89485-recently-aquired-84-6-blue.html

 

I disagree that Colt used 'many variations' of the Type 3 stock design. There are effectively 2 variations of the Type with possible individual outliers available from the Custom Shop or by other unknown means.

 

Lots of great info here. Shouldn't this thread be a sticky?