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Questions regarding Pythons custom tuned with Elliason sights and Intro

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5.1K views 29 replies 12 participants last post by  Toepuncher  
T
#1 ·
First, I want to briefly introduce myself. I have viewed this forum multiple times as a non-member and recognize that it contains a collective wealth of Colt knowledge. I primarily focus on Winchesters, but I do have five Pythons, and ultimately would like to learn some more about each of them. Today, I am inquiring about two recently acquired Pythons.

The first one was made, I believe, in 1979. It is blued with a 6" barrel. I have the original box, styrofoam and what I believe is all of the paperwork. The gun appears to be unfired. The original label has been covered up with a Colt Custom Gun Shop label and states in type "Custom Tuned with Elliason Sights". The Model number is I3660-H. From the limited reading I have done so far, everything seems to check out except for the stocks. The model number suffix H is, from what I have read, consistent with tuning and the Elliason sights. But, the stocks are what appear to me to be rosewood and look like the ones that I believe came on the later Elites (but I am certainly no expert at all). They are smooth with gold medallions and indentations for fingers (I know there is a better term for these).

In any event, on this one, I am trying to generally get an idea as to how common this variation is. I am also trying to get a general idea as to how much this variation increases the value of the gun versus a standard Python. I don't know if this can be expressed in terms of percentage or not. I have reviewed, although admittedly not with great detail yet, the sticky post relating to Python stocks. I intend to review this more as I have time, but I am operating under the assumption that the stocks are not original. I did see that guns ordered from the Custom Shop could come with special stocks, but I am assuming the stocks I am describing probably would not have been available in 1979. I realize that pictures would be helpful, and I might be able to post some later when I get home if I can figure out how to do it. In the meantime, and insight that the learned members of this forum can offer would be very much appreciated.

The other Python I acquired recently is similar. It is blued with a 4" barrel and I believe it was made in 1978. It is also in the original box but has only the styrofoam insert (no papers, etc,). Like the other one, the original label has also been covered by a Colt Custom Gun Shop label. The Model number for this one is I3640T. The label states in handwriting (not typed like the other one) "Custom Tuned With Elliason Sights" but "With Elliason Sights" is written in different handwriting than the remainder. I am speculating that the T suffix in the model number indicates the gun was tuned in the Custom Shop but I would assume there would be a W suffix if the Elliason Sights came from the Custom Shop also. I am wondering if anyone has seen this issue before. I can only assume that the sights were added later and someone added the additional handwriting to the label. This gun is in outstanding shape but I believe it has probably been fired at least a little. Any insight that anyone can offer on this one would also be appreciated.

This is more than enough for my first post. I also have some questions on a couple of other ones which I believe are nickel and electroless nickel but I will save that for another time.

I look forward to being a member of this forum and sincerely appreciate any information that you may provide.
 
#2 ·
Pictures will answer most questions.

If the grips appear to be Elite grips, it is a good possibility they were added as they weren't available in that time period. I have seen a few examples of the late '70 Pythons with the custom shop label stating "tuned with elliason". It sounds like you have two nice examples.

As far as price, it is hard to say. There would be an increase over a regular Python, but how much would be up to how much the buyer wants a custom shop piece. I would say it would be a few hundred increase at least.

I look forward to pictures?
 
#4 ·
You would also have to figure that if the stocks prove not to be original that the gun was indeed fired. It would be unlikely that someone put new stocks on the gun and then never touched it again at all.

One route you could go is to get the factory letter for that gun and see if either the original receiving party still exists to contact or if the letter specifies non-uniform stocks.
 
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D
#5 ·
Here's a picture of the later Colt "Elite" type laminated Python Target grips with finger grooves.
These are seen with Gold or Silver Colt medallions, and can still be bought in a variety of colors of laminated wood:.
These first appeared in the later 1990's and were not made in the 70's or 80's.
 
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#6 · (Edited)
I appreciate the comments from both you. almagear, I agree with you that it doesn't make a lot of sense to change the stocks and not shoot the gun. But, it also doesn't make much sense to change the grips and hardly ever shoot it . I was probably a little quick to call it unfired, but if it has been fired it has been very very little.

dfariswheel, that's what the stocks look like on the 6" gun except they are redder then that and have gold medallions. What you said about the timeline of their availability confirms what I had read regarding them not being available in 1979. It appears that they have to be non-original. I am still going to request factory letters on both revolvers.

I hope to post pics in the next few minutes if I can overcome by technical deficiencies.
 
#19 ·
Awesome gun. There is info in past threads regarding the custom pythons for that era. I believe the latter will show the custom work if it was done at the factory before being originally sold. A lot went back after being sold and getting that work done by the custom shop and therefore there wasn't any recording of that and I don't believe the letter will reflect that but it doesn't mean it wasn't done by Colt
 
J
#20 ·
The 6" that I bought new for my son has the same custom shop work, and is noted on a bright yellow/green sticker on the end of the box. It came with the standard Type III stocks. I don't have the serial number but bought it in the late 1970's.
 
#21 ·
isn't the barrel roll mark on the 6 inch back to far for a 1979 Python?

it looks like a hollow under lug type roll mark to my eye from a 50's era Python.
 
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T
#23 ·
I looked at a different reference and now believe that the 6" is a 1980 instead of '79. The SN starts with LA and if I am looking at correct info it has to be a 1980 model. I also looked online and saw two Pythons for sale that are also 6" custom shop guns with tuning and Elliason sights (H suffix in Model Number). To my untrained eyes the barrel markings on mine look identical to the markings on both of those two guns in location and otherwise. They were also manufactured in 1980 (must have been a popular request that year). Maybe someone can point out something I am missing but, based on photos of other very similar guns, the barrel markings look to be consistent with others of the same vintage. If I am overlooking something please chime in.
 
#26 ·
I graduated HS in 1979 in North Dakota. Sheels was and still is a big sporting goods retailer. Back then and still today, they sell a lot of guns and take guns in on trade. I remembering seeing new Pythons around that time that were custom tuned from the factory. That was also about the time the nickel 6" 22 diamondbacks came out as well.
 
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#27 · (Edited)
That is interesting smkummer, and consistent with the limited research I have done so far. I have read that Colt likely first offered the custom tuning in its promotional materials in 1978, although this service may have been available before it was promoted in that way. I think that probably explains why the ones I run across in my research tend to be from 1978 to the early 80's. I have made no independent effort to confirm this, and am merely relying on comments from people who were paying attention to this in the the 70's.
 
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