Make: Colt

Model: Python

Serial Number: T80410

Year of Manufacture: 1990 (Per Colt Archive Letter)

Caliber: .357 Magnum (also capable of firing .38 Special)

Action Type: Double Action / Single Action Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder

Barrel Length: 4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade pinned to a raised base on the barrel rib. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation, pinned to the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The revolver is fitted with factory original black rubber wraparound combat-style grips with gold Colt medallions. The grips exhibit only faint evidence of handling and remain crisp in texture with no notable wear or damage. The grips rate in Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Bright Stainless Steel

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its original metal finish. There is no evidence of use beyond careful factory test firing and handling. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear and deeply struck. The cylinder face shows no significant burn rings, and the frame is pristine. Overall, this revolver rates in Excellent Plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The timing is spot-on, and the lockup is tight. The trigger pull is characteristically smooth in double action and crisp in single action. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included with the revolver is its original maroon Colt “Heritage of Craftsmanship” box with yellow end label correctly marked with model number 13041, serial number T80410, and configuration (.357 Magnum, 4", Bright Stainless). The factory Styrofoam insert and Colt literature are present. Also included is a Colt Archive Letter dated January 9, 2017, confirming the revolver was shipped on January 11, 1990, to Northeast Gun & Supply Company, Billerica, Massachusetts, as part of a shipment of two revolvers of the same type.

Our Assessment: This Colt Python is a collector’s dream: a late-production, bright stainless 4-inch example in outstanding condition with its original box and a factory letter to boot. Shipped in January 1990, this Python came out of Colt’s final production years before the original line was discontinued in 2005. The bright stainless finish reflects the Python’s reputation as one of the finest production revolvers ever made—smooth trigger, bank-vault lockup, and hand-fit precision.

While the 6” Pythons have always been popular, the 4” model walks the perfect line between balance and practicality, often favored for both display and carry. The inclusion of the rubber combat grips adds to its desirability, representing Colt’s contemporary configuration for serious use in the late '80s and early '90s.

This revolver appears to have been fired only at the factory and carefully preserved since, with condition bordering on new old stock. With its pristine finish, clean bore, matching box, and verified documentation, this revolver offers an investment-grade opportunity for serious Colt collectors, Python enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a crown jewel for a revolver collection. Guns of this quality simply don’t surface often—especially not with the complete original package.