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22 Python

5K views 21 replies 21 participants last post by  dfletcher 
#1 ·
Anyone ever actually see one of these? Available in 22 WMR,also!

From a 1981 Colt catalogue.

 
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#9 ·
"The barrel on this revolver has been factory sleeved in .22 caliber. The cylinder chambers for .22 caliber. Note that the forcing cone area is still for .357 caliber and the center fire firing pin has been removed. The revolver is therefore unsafe to fire and was produced by the factory for display purposes only. The action does cycle."
 
#10 ·
There were several prototype Pythons in odd calibers sold in the 2009 Greg Martin/Colt Archive auctions. There was a .22 Hornet, a .40 caliber, a .22 Magnum and a .22 LR. Those guns were accompanied by Colt Archive letters establishing provenance. A few more .22s have appeared over the years. Some have been documented and some not. I saw one at a Colt Collector's Association a few years ago. Opinions at the show differed greatly on it's authenticity.

- -Buckspen
 
#19 ·
There were several prototype Pythons in odd calibers sold in the 2009 Greg Martin/Colt Archive auctions. There was a .22 Hornet, a .40 caliber, a .22 Magnum and a .22 LR. Those guns were accompanied by Colt Archive letters establishing provenance. A few more .22s have appeared over the years. Some have been documented and some not. I saw one at a Colt Collector's Association a few years ago. Opinions at the show differed greatly on it's authenticity.

- -Buckspen
A quick note to those who may have an interest. Most of the guns that Bruce mentioned in the above post were parts guns and not in working order however the .22 Magnum was a complete gun that fires, I know this for a fact, and that gun will be in the winter auction of Amoskeag Auction. It comes with a factory letter and is the only one that does. If someone wants a collector Python that is truly rare they will want to look at this one. I have no financial interest in the gun and only mention it for those collectors that may have an interest. There will also be a 3" nickel Python in the box with factory letter at the same auction.
 
#14 ·
I hear there's a new Python coming out...maybe Colt will release a version in .22. What am I saying? Colt doesn't make a .22! :bang_wall:
 
#16 ·
The value in the factory non-firing prototype .22 Python is not in shooting it.
The value is in it's rarity.
It's the only one in the world and the only one that will ever be. A collector will spend some heavy money for a true one-off experimental.

Over the years a lot of companies have built prototypes that are worth untold money to high end collectors.
If you can even get a value, price one of Sam Colt's early 1830's prototype revolving pistols or a US trials .45 Luger. They are literally beyond value.
 
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