And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Colt Pythons prices have gone through the roof. I was at an auction last year when one came up for bid just like the pic. It went for $14k + a 18% buyers premium and 6% PA sales tax. I sold a 6" stainless version that had seen better days. I had traded a S&W Model 25 that I had $600 in for it. I sold it on GunBroker for $2700. I had a ton of pictures of it and told the buyer it was kind of beat but he still went for it. They're making them again now, in stainless and 4 and 6 " versions. Local dealer advertised one for MSRP on FaceBook and it lasted 10 minutes. They're all over GunBroker for $2K and up. I'll wait a while before I buy another.
The Colt Python is my overall most favorite gun and has been all of my life. But being nothing but a poor white sharecroppers child I will never possess one. So I'll just sit here in my lonely room and fondle my Winchester model 71 and bide my time.
Yup, I've seen some case-hardening grain in S&Ws that almost has the same sheen, but for overall finish - nawp. It takes a person who is committed to having a flawless finish to accomplish that. Browning does (or did) some deep DEEP blueing, but Colt Royal also appears like it is glowing from within.
I have S&W Model 19-4 in Satin Blue it is good but it ain't Colt Royal Blue. Rumor has it that Colt used to use things like whale oil in their secret finishing process that can no longer be had.
Never could afford a Python but I did have a beautiful chrome finish Trooper for a number of years. Sent it to Andy Cannon for an action job eventually and it felt exactly like a Python. Ended up costing about the same as the Python but I could pay, essentially, in two installments. Trouble was, it was such a pretty gun, I never used it and eventually sold it because of that.
I had bought a pair in the very early 80's, Sold SATIN silver one, because the trigger was to light. KEPT the ROYAL BLUE still have, STILL GORGEOUS! VERY accurate piece, I might say.
I just missed my chance on one that was unfired but didn't have the money for it. Also had an Anaconda in pristine unfired condition. I did manage to not drool on them but needed many thousands more that I had in my pocket. jack
I've made several pieces with the same finish. The last was a Ruger 10/22 barrell. Perception is the key "ingredient" to the finish's likeness, or non-likeness, to anything else. Like a Colt. One hundred percent of folks say "wow!". Half would perceive it to be identical to the Colt finish. Mercuric chloride & a beryllium is what I use (i can't recall the exact name Be, but the book is "Firearm Blueing & Browning" from Angier) . Rust it, shine...rust it, shine until you get there, and all metallurgical properties post heat-treat come into play. I agree with everybody that a pretty finish makes it hard to 'use'. I also agree you have to spend hours and hours getting the metal mirror-perfect and flawless.
I don't know where you folks live, but even if you can find small firearms you can't find ammo where I live in New York State. I'm pretty sure it's like that everywhere as I cruise the internet looking for availability
Colt Pythons prices have gone through the roof. I was at an auction last year when one came up for bid just like the pic. It went for $14k + a 18% buyers premium and 6% PA sales tax. I sold a 6" stainless version that had seen better days. I had traded a S&W Model 25 that I had $600 in for it. I sold it on GunBroker for $2700. I had a ton of pictures of it and told the buyer it was kind of beat but he still went for it. They're making them again now, in stainless and 4 and 6 " versions. Local dealer advertised one for MSRP on FaceBook and it lasted 10 minutes. They're all over GunBroker for $2K and up. I'll wait a while before I buy another.
ReplyDeleteThe Colt Python is my overall most favorite gun and has been all of my life. But being nothing but a poor white sharecroppers child I will never possess one. So I'll just sit here in my lonely room and fondle my Winchester model 71 and bide my time.
ReplyDeleteYup, I've seen some case-hardening grain in S&Ws that almost has the same sheen, but for overall finish - nawp. It takes a person who is committed to having a flawless finish to accomplish that. Browning does (or did) some deep DEEP blueing, but Colt Royal also appears like it is glowing from within.
ReplyDeleteI have S&W Model 19-4 in Satin Blue it is good but it ain't Colt Royal Blue. Rumor has it that Colt used to use things like whale oil in their secret finishing process that can no longer be had.
ReplyDeleteNever could afford a Python but I did have a beautiful chrome finish Trooper for a number of years. Sent it to Andy Cannon for an action job eventually and it felt exactly like a Python. Ended up costing about the same as the Python but I could pay, essentially, in two installments. Trouble was, it was such a pretty gun, I never used it and eventually sold it because of that.
ReplyDeleteI had bought a pair in the very early 80's, Sold SATIN silver one, because the trigger was to light. KEPT the ROYAL BLUE still have, STILL GORGEOUS! VERY accurate piece, I might say.
ReplyDeleteI just missed my chance on one that was unfired but didn't have the money for it. Also had an Anaconda in pristine unfired condition. I did manage to not drool on them but needed many thousands more that I had in my pocket.
ReplyDeletejack
Sure I will. I bought one back in the 80s with a 6 inch barrel.
ReplyDeleteI've made several pieces with the same finish. The last was a Ruger 10/22 barrell. Perception is the key "ingredient" to the finish's likeness, or non-likeness, to anything else. Like a Colt. One hundred percent of folks say "wow!". Half would perceive it to be identical to the Colt finish. Mercuric chloride & a beryllium is what I use (i can't recall the exact name Be, but the book is "Firearm Blueing & Browning" from Angier) . Rust it, shine...rust it, shine until you get there, and all metallurgical properties post heat-treat come into play. I agree with everybody that a pretty finish makes it hard to 'use'. I also agree you have to spend hours and hours getting the metal mirror-perfect and flawless.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where you folks live, but even if you can find small firearms you can't find ammo where I live in New York State. I'm pretty sure it's like that everywhere as I cruise the internet looking for availability
ReplyDelete