There is also "The Python Mystique", alibi a smaller version about the D'back.
While NOT the most accurate analogy or comparison,I've seen a similar trend with NON COMMEMORATIVE "Frontier Scouts" and its offspring. I can recall 2 decades ago,rarely did you see a used Scout series(again NON COMMEM.)go for more than $125,even NIB. Then as SAA prices were driven to the atmosphere by "rumors" of its demise,the "speculators" buying em' up and shovin' em' in safes,and the relatively poor fit/finish of the late 3rd Gens.,buyers wanting a genuine COLT,began eyeing the little Scouts-and found out that NOT that many "regular models" were made-and many of these were shot/used in the field-so up went the prices.
Sadly,some collectors,wanting "big bore Colts,and not able/willing to pay SAA prices, "found" the New Service,driving up the prices of a gun I had discovered the joys of shooting and reloading for in the early 80's.But I had bought many of those I own today before the sharp rise of N.S. prices.
As an aside,the little Scout,never did a thing for me,and I have owned 3 of the variations,just too small for my hand. Not as bad as the Ruger Bearcat though! A very older lovely lady(Onomea-you out there??)that I lived with for 3/4 of a year about 35 years ago(thought she could afford to help me get my Ph.D,but I ended up helping to support her-worth it!)-bought a Ruger Bearcat for "her and I" as a plinker and house gun-depite her having numerous skeet guns. Ruger too small for her hands too!
As Robba said,fewer D'Backs built than Pythons,and they are NOT common,at least here in N. New England-and there are some very RARE variations,that make em' attractive to collectors. Saw one in N.H. 4" blue .38,probably 98% for $350,about 6 mos. ago. Probably should have grabbed it,but too many .38 revolvers already and I didn't especially like the .22 D'back 4" I once owned,as far as accuracy and "feel".
Bud /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif