[dfariswheel]

Colt made some sort of change in their bluing formula in 1969, when they introduced the Mark III series.
Before that Colt's bluing had a more Blue color, after it was a Black color.
Polishing will not affect the color, only the level of gloss.

 

[dfariswheel]

To see the difference in the Colt blues, compare a Colt mid-1960's revolver to a 1969 Mark III.
The more Black color is readily apparent when compared side to side and happens in 1969 with the discontinuing of most of the older Colt models.

 

[dfariswheel]

As above, the Colt factory personnel stated that there was no secret bluing formula used just for the Python.
It was all in the polishing.
Colt used the same chemicals and process for all Colt firearms.

The higher level of polishing was the result in the Royal Blue finish as used on the Python and on special order for other Colt's.
As often said, while other brands were on the truck heading to the distributor, the Python was still at the factory being polished.
Colt always took polishing very seriously, to the extent that they were running a polisher's school.
New people went to class to learn the techniques, practiced until they were up to standard, then worked on the less expensive production lines for guns like the Official Police.
They started with an instructor literally looking over their shoulder and giving pointers and corrections.
Only the very best workers were allowed to polish the Python.

 

[dfariswheel]

As for brightness or pure shine, I've seen some foreign made pistols that had a brilliant shine, but looking closer you see many machine marks and defects.
You can do a surface polish to get that bright shine, but the metal under it looks like a corn cob.

In the older days, it was said that Colt distributed their manufacturing money equally between a smooth interior and a polished exterior, but S&W spent their dollar on the outside to get a brighter finish, with a rougher interior.