The Colt Python Silver Snake was a Colt Custom Shop limited edition model made in stainless steel. Only 250 of these Custom Shop revolvers were made making them a sought after item for Colt aficionados.
Fast Facts
- The Colt Python is one of the most famous of Colt’s firearms.
- The Python was made in a variety of models and one of the more scarce is the Python Silver Snake, which was made in stainless steel.
- The Silver Snake features unique decorations and is fitted with Pachmayer wrap around grips inset with Colt Custom Shop pewter medallions.
- One of these Silver Snakes is for sale by Rock Island Auction at time of publication.
The Colt Python is a legendary revolver. Originally created by gunsmith Al De John and factory superintendent Al Gunther working as a team the Python went on to become one of the most respected revolvers in the world.
Al De John’s original thinking was to create an accurate target revolver, something for which there could be expected to be an international market. Initial work centered around re-engineering the Colt Officer’s Model Match revolver which was chambered in 38 Special.
De John wanted to make this new revolver as a 357 Magnum and so there needed to be a whole set of modifications to create a revolver that would happily handle a regular diet of 357 Magnum ammunition. The Officer’s Model Match frame and top strap were beefed up and the firing pin recoil plate was eliminated in favor of having the firing pin hole directly drilled into the frame.
The cylinder also needed to be made strong enough for the higher pressures of the magnum cartridge.
One of the most eye catching design features of the Python was the vented rib that sat on top of the barrel. This was similar in appearance and function to the vented rib that is common on the top of the barrels of an over/under shotgun.
The vented rib provided a substantial sighting line as the revolver was raised into the shooting position, and it helped mitigate against mirage caused by barrel heat when the revolver was being fired repeatedly.
When used in target shooting these features really came into their own in the “Dueling” section of the ISSF Centerfire Match. For the dueling match the revolver was held down at 45 degrees waiting for the turning target. The silhouette target would turn to face the shooter for three seconds and then turn away for seven before repeating for five shots. That vented sight rib made the sight acquisition very instinctive.
The Python went into production in 1955 and was very much a hand fitted revolver with Al De John and Al Gunther putting in a lot of effort to personally make sure that every Python was made to a standard of excellence.
Those original Pythons were made in polished Colt Royal Blue and they were an outstanding revolver. They were offered with a six inch barrel at first, followed by a 4 inch and then a 2½ inch which was the shortest length onto which the vented rib could be fitted.
Colt made a number of variants of the original Python and in 1983 decided to offer a stainless steel version created by the Colt Custom Shop.
This was a limited run of only 250 revolvers which had the barrel is etched on both sides with scroll decoration, Colt family crests, the Factory Dome, and ribbons, the left side-plate being etched with a snake ready to strike.
The left side of the barrel is marked “LIMITED EDITION SILVER SNAKE .357 MAGNUM” and the right side “1836 Samuel Colt 1982”
The grips are by Pachmayer, inset with Colt Custom Shop pewter medallions.
One of these limited edition Colt Python Silver Snake revolvers is up for sale by Rock Island Auction at time of publication.
The condition of this revolver is described by Rock Island Auction as follows:-
“Excellent overall, original finish, with minor handling marks and some traces of white paint around the muzzle. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine, with wear and tear.“
If you are a Colt Python collector then this Python Silver Snake could be a perfect addition to your collection – it is a uniquely pretty and rare revolver.
And if you are a Colt aficionado generally this could be a revolver you would treasure.
You will find the sale page for this Python Silver Snake if you click here.
Picture Credits: All pictures courtesy Rock Island Auction.
Jon Branch is the founder and senior editor of Revivaler and has written a significant number of articles for various publications including official Buying Guides for eBay, classic car articles for Hagerty, magazine articles for both the Australian Shooters Journal and the Australian Shooter, and he’s a long time contributor to Silodrome.
Jon has done radio, television, magazine and newspaper interviews on various issues, and has traveled extensively, having lived in Britain, Australia, China and Hong Kong. His travels have taken him to Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan and a number of other countries. He has studied the Japanese sword arts and has a long history of involvement in the shooting sports, which has included authoring submissions to government on various firearms related issues and assisting in the design and establishment of shooting ranges.
