June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Colt did not begin offering nickel plating on the Colt Python until 1963, but like anything else, people with enough pull could usually get what they want. According to the serial number on this gun, the frame was built in 1958. Factory letter states that this gun was sent as a 6" nickel revolver in a shipment of one to Frank Weldon at the Blue Island Gun Shop in Blue Island, Illinois on May 28th, 1959. One can surmise that when the order came in, this person was A) a special client and B) and that they grabbed an already existing and assembled frame and built what we believe is now currently the earliest shipped factory recorded nickel revolver ever shipped. Cylinder shows little to no signs of any burn. It is a full nickel gun with the matte top, satin nickel adjustable rear sight base with polished sides, nickel hammer and trigger, with the correct fully checkered type one walnut grips with proper gold medallion. Aside from a light drag line, condition appears to be near new. Grips are near mint to mint. Comes in an original Colt walnut type two piece box, numbered on bottom in marker. End label lists as a 6" blue, which makes sense since the nickel revolver did not exist. Wax paper, warranty card and key chain screwdriver inside. Gun is brilliant and would be unimprovable if it was made in the 1990's. Phenomenal for a gun shipped in the 1950's. As Python collections are defined by their rarities, early guns, and conditions, it would be impossible to find an earlier higher grade example of a factory nickel Python and would be a prize in any collection.