In fairness to Colt, the added cost is noted on their price list as Premium Pricing.

Go to this link and click on the Archives Price List.

https://www.colt.com/page/archive-services

 

Pictures Pictures Pictures!!

 

I tried to get a letter on Friday. The website would not accept my telephone number as not a good number. I tried to talk to person, but the mailbox for messages was full. Very odd customer service!

 

Will they sell a presentation box also ?

 

Perhaps they should start charging after they scroll to that gun in their digitized ledgers. Add up all the uncommon features listed, put a surcharge for each, then calculate the shipping location "interest factor." Finally, a stop by Gunbroker to see what those models have been selling for, and total up the charge for "your letter" based on the gun's worth.

Frankly I thought the different prices were from the difficulty of the research work, in different ledgers. But a modern Python can't be any harder than a 1950s Official Police, can it?

 

That's exactly what I was thinking, but on the other hand it does give me some new ideas for how to price my gunsmithing services. "Changing front sight on Python: $25 plus materials. Add $100 for engraved guns, and $150 for 4-digit serial number guns and lower"

 

I’ve got a ‘81 blue 6” unfired w/ original box and paperwork. Would a letter be beneficial?

 

A letter is always beneficial!

 

I would want to get a factory letter to figure out the vendor that originally sold the gun. It's been here in Maui and after reading the forums it's piqued my curiosity.

 

I hope they call me and tell me I owe them like 1000 more lol. That means I hit the Colt trifecta

 

Well, they sent me an invoice Wednesday for $175--$75 for the letter and $100 upcharge for the "B" engraving. Road trip that day delayed my payment until early Thursday EDT. When I opened the invoice to pay, I was greeted with a Past Due notice. Words fail me.

 

I don't think the letters mean as much as everyone thinks. The serial number, grips, and condition tell the story, who cares when it was shipped and who it was shipped to. Most buying a Python will take the time to verify all of that, and that is what counts. I collect Browning Superposed shotguns also, and Browning will do the same thing, but are much cheaper and less predatory in their efforts to provide some history for the gun. Additionally, Superposed guns were manufactured a starting in 1931, so the letter is sometimes a good addition to the authenticity of the gun, but most buyers know what they are buying, letter or not. Colt seems to be a little aggressive in profiting off this service.

 

I own two pythons. One I bought brand new in the box from Jack First when he ran the gunshop in Lancaster Ca. before he moved his gun parts business to Rapid City. Jack was a Colt dealer at the time. Why should I lay out big money for a letter in that case? My other one I also bought slightly used from him. We all are different. I definitely am not one of those type guys that keeps white gloves to handle a gun. I am not into boxes until just lately only because it means so much to others so affects the prices of my guns if I ever sell them. I cant relate to collectors that have to have maybe 20 of the same make and model gun just to show every nuance of slight engineering change over 40 years of production but understand that`s their business.

 

I think colts greed is going to hurt them. Some company's will give you info for free over the phone. Smith charges a lot less than colt for a letter. Years ago (early 1970`s) I had a colt collector friend that knew Marty Huber the old colt factory historian. I bought a old colt single action. He had his wife call up Huber for me with the serial # and free gratis he looked it up while she was on the phone and I got the info that it was a Copper Queen gun. I never did get or buy a official letter for it. Not only pay huge for the letter but wait six months to get it? Give me a break!

 

Colt does not twist any body's arm to make them buy a letter. And.........the prices are clearly stated. I am NOT a Colt apologist. Just stating fact.

 

...I could not agree more....whine...whine...whine...Colt offers a valuable service....with up front pricing....keep your " they should give it to me ".....to yourself and and go looking for free stuff...

 

I don't think people are looking for free stuff, just looking for fair stuff. It is a profit center for Colt, and they do tell you up front what it costs. It one does not want to pay.....then don't pay.

 

I will not buy a BSTS python (at prevailing prices) without a letter ........or the original box/labe..........the polishers are out in full force these days ........same with a 3" barrel python....way to easy to swap barrels........etc............that is why i buy or demand a letter before i pay premium prices.......if they cant prove the provenance.....i assume the worst and pay accordingly my risk my gain ......i sure as heck dont buy a letter to confirm its shipping date....

 

A letter can be useful to prove the original finish, for sure. Having a letter showing that it came polished, plated, engraved etc from the factory is good insurance, and a good selling point when that day comes. Another reason to letter a gun is if it proves provenance that adds value. A letter doesn't matter much if it's a "less exciting" gun though, at least I wouldn't pay anything extra for a letter saying that a gun was shipped at a certain date to Vernon's Hunting Shop in Bucksnort, TN.

 

That's a good point, when it comes to finish and premium prices, where relative rare Pythons are concerned. I have stayed with blued guns until now, so the finish altering aspect is not that critical to me, but the nickel and stainless guns can be tampered with easily. I will pull the trigger on a nickel Target if I can something I consider reasonable.

 

I see no reason to order a letter for a run-of-the-mill blue pythons etc.........I did get a letter on a 4" blue python i bought a couple of years ago to build provenance as to it being in the first shipment of about 30 4" pythons, and i was successful via colt letter, and other references, and letters to establish that. so for me it was a added value item whether it is or not to others, as i doubt i will ever sell it......point is i lettered the reference gun for a specific to me reason .....i have many other blue pythons i have no reason or desire or see no added value in ordering a colt letter

 

Received the letter--and was disappointed. They confirmed the "B" engraving--but--the engraver's name, type of stocks, and date of manufacture were not available. So much for the upcharge.