ran across one for sale at a gun show, but was reluctant to spend $1000 for it, not knowing what it was. It was .357, stainless, 6 or 8in barrel, had a Stainless scope on it. Is it a type of python? Is it part of a series? are there other types related?
kennedy
I believe the gun was called the Whitetailer and it came with 2X scope and should have had a Colt aluminum hard case included. They also made a Whitetailer II with a high gloss finish. $1000 is the exact money for that gun, depending on condition.
They also made about 500 Grizzlys in .357 and a hand full of Kodiaks, but I am not sure of the quantites, maybe some of the more knowlegeable here can answer.
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Dick
There is a word sweeter than mother, home or heaven--
That word is Liberty.
They also made about 500 Grizzlys in .357 and a hand full of Kodiaks, but I am not sure of the quantites, maybe some of the more knowlegeable here can answer.
------------------
Dick
There is a word sweeter than mother, home or heaven--
That word is Liberty.
According to the info sheet that came with my gun, 2000 Kodiaks were produced. I think the same number of Grizzlies were made but I have heard that it may have been 1500.
![Image]()
Blokey, I see what your saying about 2000 starting shipment in August 1993. But I doubt they made any where near that many, because they were already dropped from my copy of the 1994 catalog. Either that or they made and shipped an awful lot in 4 months. Could be though.
On the Grizzly, the BB states 500. Who knows.
------------------
Dick
There is a word sweeter than mother, home or heaven--
That word is Liberty.
[This message has been edited by diamonback68 (edited 07-18-2004).]
On the Grizzly, the BB states 500. Who knows.
------------------
Dick
There is a word sweeter than mother, home or heaven--
That word is Liberty.
[This message has been edited by diamonback68 (edited 07-18-2004).]
db68,
You're right, 2000 pieces in 4 months would be one heck of a production run for the Custom Shop, I don't know what the actual production was.
Now with respect to the Kodiak...
Mine came in the blue hard case with the "antique advertisement" sleeve with the standard accoutrements (hang tag, manual, warranty card, congratulatory letter, Colt companion manual and authorized service center listing). There may have been other items i.e.: a Colt Custom Shop letter or note but mine didn't come with anything else. The model number is MM3060KD and the special serial number the info sheet alluded to is CKA####.
I assume Grizzlies would be similar (CGA####?). Kodiaks and Grizzlies did not come with any additional hardware.
Whitetailers, in addition to the standard items, would come with the scope, all fitted in an aluminum hard case, as db68 mentioned.
Price? Well I've been trying to locate a Grizzly to compliment my Kodiak and I found one, used (~98%), that the seller was asking $1500 for. Kodiaks are a little easier to find, generally ~$1000. Whitetailers turn up occasionally and I've seen asking prices of $750+. Of course, whether these asking prices are worth it to you is your decision.
[This message has been edited by Blokey (edited 07-18-2004).]
[This message has been edited by Blokey (edited 07-18-2004).]
You're right, 2000 pieces in 4 months would be one heck of a production run for the Custom Shop, I don't know what the actual production was.
Now with respect to the Kodiak...
Mine came in the blue hard case with the "antique advertisement" sleeve with the standard accoutrements (hang tag, manual, warranty card, congratulatory letter, Colt companion manual and authorized service center listing). There may have been other items i.e.: a Colt Custom Shop letter or note but mine didn't come with anything else. The model number is MM3060KD and the special serial number the info sheet alluded to is CKA####.
I assume Grizzlies would be similar (CGA####?). Kodiaks and Grizzlies did not come with any additional hardware.
Whitetailers, in addition to the standard items, would come with the scope, all fitted in an aluminum hard case, as db68 mentioned.
Price? Well I've been trying to locate a Grizzly to compliment my Kodiak and I found one, used (~98%), that the seller was asking $1500 for. Kodiaks are a little easier to find, generally ~$1000. Whitetailers turn up occasionally and I've seen asking prices of $750+. Of course, whether these asking prices are worth it to you is your decision.
[This message has been edited by Blokey (edited 07-18-2004).]
[This message has been edited by Blokey (edited 07-18-2004).]
WOW Blokey, $1500 for a Grizzly, OUCH!
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Dick
There is a word sweeter than mother, home or heaven--
That word is Liberty.
------------------
Dick
There is a word sweeter than mother, home or heaven--
That word is Liberty.
Not to offend anyone here, but I¬Ăm sensing some of you guys may have got a little off track with regard to the 2 Bears and the Whitetailer being a custom shop Python.
Despite what your blue book say, the Grizzly and Whitetailer(and Kodiak not listed in Blue Book) are NOT Python based. Meaning that the frame is not Python. I know the BB list the Grizzly and Whitetailer under the Python but they clearly are not a Python frame.
The Grizzly is based off the MKV action. Another way of looking at it is, it¬Ăs basically a King Cobra with a Python barrel and an unfluted cylinder. The Blue book is incorrect in production numbers. There were 1000 made starting from serial number CG001. The Whitetailer is also based off the MKV action.
The Kodiak on the other hand is based on the MM frame. Or simply an Anaconda with an unfluted cylinder. The Kodiak, which is unlisted in most documentation had a production run of 2000 starting with serial number CKA001. Despite not being in the ¬Ă94 catalog they did indeed produce the full run. This is why you run across more Kodiaks than Grizzlys.
Special touches on both are ported barrels. They both also have a distinctive Colt Medallion from the custom shop that I have only seen on these two particular guns. They both sport the rubber combat style grips. And yes both did come from the custom shop.
Both of these 2 guns were exclusive to Western Hogee (a big distributor like Lew Horton, but not nearly as well known) of southern California and had an initial suggested retail price of about $650.
As more people learn of these two limited run guns the prices go up. Hence the high asking price Blokey alluded to. In one sense it is easier to have "Bear Collection" than a "Snake Collection" as there are only 2 Bears in the set! However, there can only be a maximum of 1000 people to have the complete collection.
![Image]()
Despite what your blue book say, the Grizzly and Whitetailer(and Kodiak not listed in Blue Book) are NOT Python based. Meaning that the frame is not Python. I know the BB list the Grizzly and Whitetailer under the Python but they clearly are not a Python frame.
The Grizzly is based off the MKV action. Another way of looking at it is, it¬Ăs basically a King Cobra with a Python barrel and an unfluted cylinder. The Blue book is incorrect in production numbers. There were 1000 made starting from serial number CG001. The Whitetailer is also based off the MKV action.
The Kodiak on the other hand is based on the MM frame. Or simply an Anaconda with an unfluted cylinder. The Kodiak, which is unlisted in most documentation had a production run of 2000 starting with serial number CKA001. Despite not being in the ¬Ă94 catalog they did indeed produce the full run. This is why you run across more Kodiaks than Grizzlys.
Special touches on both are ported barrels. They both also have a distinctive Colt Medallion from the custom shop that I have only seen on these two particular guns. They both sport the rubber combat style grips. And yes both did come from the custom shop.
Both of these 2 guns were exclusive to Western Hogee (a big distributor like Lew Horton, but not nearly as well known) of southern California and had an initial suggested retail price of about $650.
As more people learn of these two limited run guns the prices go up. Hence the high asking price Blokey alluded to. In one sense it is easier to have "Bear Collection" than a "Snake Collection" as there are only 2 Bears in the set! However, there can only be a maximum of 1000 people to have the complete collection.
WS23, thanks for the excellent photos. That's why I asked for the "more knowledgeable" to chime in. I notice they didn't even print their own manuals, instead including the King Cobra and Anaconda manuals. Your photo clearly shows the difference in frame size too. That is the first time I have ever seen both "bears" side by side for comparison.
Thanks!
------------------
Dick
There is a word sweeter than mother, home or heaven--
That word is Liberty.
Thanks!
------------------
Dick
There is a word sweeter than mother, home or heaven--
That word is Liberty.
WS23,
Nice pair of bears there!! Maybe one day I'll find the right Grizzly but I'm not holding my breath.
Sure I can scan the sheet for you. As you can see, it's a one-sided copy (the dealer's card obscures part of the copy).
Does this forum have the ability to "private message"? However you can get me your email address I'll scan the sheet and email it to you, no problem
![Image]()
Nice pair of bears there!! Maybe one day I'll find the right Grizzly but I'm not holding my breath.
Sure I can scan the sheet for you. As you can see, it's a one-sided copy (the dealer's card obscures part of the copy).
Does this forum have the ability to "private message"? However you can get me your email address I'll scan the sheet and email it to you, no problem
Blokey I really appreciate you making a scan for me. Mine are both NIB too, but I never got the flyer for the Kodiak. Suggested retail on the Kodiak was $650 marked down to $599! Price still on the outside of box!
Kennedy, please accept my apologies for turning your Whitetailer thread into a Bear thread.
DB68 (Dick) thanks. I had a real hard time digging up info on these 2 guns. No info on the internet. Just more people seeking something, anything on these 2 guns. I did manage to get help from someone in the special order department at Colt who took pity on me after multiple calls for info. I also was able to get a hold of a real helpful guy at Western Hogee who worked there at the time they were commissioned. He went back through his files to provide me with what he could. How many total guns, where some were shipped, & some of the names of other distributors that received guns etc. He was very helpful & really had no reason to do so. After all I wasn¬Ăt buying anything!
I had called Colt with various serial numbers asking for production dates in an attempt to gather data. I think when I hit the same gal a 3rd time she recognized my voice & I had to come clean; that I was just trying to research info on these two odd balls. Colt was not even able to tell me how many were actually produced at 1st. After establishing a rapport with the gal on the phone, she was willing to run to the library & grab one of the special order books & when I called back provided me what info was there. This is where she confirmed what Western Hogee said about the full production run numbers. She definitely went out of her way to help me out. But I had to become an annoyance 1st and then make her my ally before she helped me.
Sorry for the ramble, but I¬Ăve had no one to share this info with until now.
[This message has been edited by WS23 (edited 07-20-2004).]
Kennedy, please accept my apologies for turning your Whitetailer thread into a Bear thread.
DB68 (Dick) thanks. I had a real hard time digging up info on these 2 guns. No info on the internet. Just more people seeking something, anything on these 2 guns. I did manage to get help from someone in the special order department at Colt who took pity on me after multiple calls for info. I also was able to get a hold of a real helpful guy at Western Hogee who worked there at the time they were commissioned. He went back through his files to provide me with what he could. How many total guns, where some were shipped, & some of the names of other distributors that received guns etc. He was very helpful & really had no reason to do so. After all I wasn¬Ăt buying anything!
I had called Colt with various serial numbers asking for production dates in an attempt to gather data. I think when I hit the same gal a 3rd time she recognized my voice & I had to come clean; that I was just trying to research info on these two odd balls. Colt was not even able to tell me how many were actually produced at 1st. After establishing a rapport with the gal on the phone, she was willing to run to the library & grab one of the special order books & when I called back provided me what info was there. This is where she confirmed what Western Hogee said about the full production run numbers. She definitely went out of her way to help me out. But I had to become an annoyance 1st and then make her my ally before she helped me.
Sorry for the ramble, but I¬Ăve had no one to share this info with until now.
[This message has been edited by WS23 (edited 07-20-2004).]
WS23 again many thanks, this is probably the most complete research anyone has ever seen on these two bears. This is the kind of info you can't get anywhere else but on a forum like this. I had to do some of the same type of research on Diamondbacks.
GEEZ guys, please don't get me started on another collection, I can't keep up with the DB and Smiths desires as it is.
------------------
Dick
There is a word sweeter than mother, home or heaven--
That word is Liberty.
GEEZ guys, please don't get me started on another collection, I can't keep up with the DB and Smiths desires as it is.
------------------
Dick
There is a word sweeter than mother, home or heaven--
That word is Liberty.
I just want to say that you guys are all great. I just found this forum a few weeks ago, and it is amazing, I learn so much. I have a few Pythons, a Diamondback .22, couple Police Positives, and a few Gold Cups. I am not a collector, all my guns are shooters, and I shoot them a lot. Thank God I haven't gotten the SSA bug (or, if I only knew then what I know now, when you find them and afford them...)
Keep it up, gang, and thanks for the previous replies to my Python questions.
Luke
Keep it up, gang, and thanks for the previous replies to my Python questions.
Luke
Just doing a throw back from a 2004 thread for all to see what Grizzly's and Kodiak's used to sell for since we have a bunch of bears selling as of late. Kodiaks up 5x in 10 years, Grizzly up about 5-6x. Whitetailers...well only 3x at the moment since that was the main point of this thread originally. Sold my whitetailer 1, I'm a much bigger fan of the stainless versions of all my firearms.
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