As for naming Colt's new .357, Al simply states, "[The Colt company is] into snakes for some reason," obviously recalling Colt's first reptilian christening of the Cobra .38 Special back in 1950. Thus, the Python became the second serpentine moniker in Colt's lineup. But thick, slithery imagery aside, what finally emerged was a sophisticated magnum that was as accurate as it was handsome.

Initially made only with a 6-inch barrel, a more compact 4-inch came along soon afterward. Later, a 21?2-inch barrel was introduced, "which was the shortest barrel we could make and still fit a vent on the rib," remembers Al.

The Python featured a fully adjustable white-outline Accro rear sight and a 1/8-inch front ramp with red inset. A wide spur, checkered hammer and grooved, curved trigger provided maximum control and fast lock time.

Initially, only a blued finish was offered, but, befitting the gun, it wasn't just any blued finish.

"The Python was the first time we used the Colt Royal Blue finish," says Al. "That was brought about because we buffed the gun just as smoothly and brightly as we would for nickel plate, which was the highest polish we could get. But then we blued the gun instead."

Not surprising to anyone who has ever shot or even handled a Python, polishing was a hallmark of Colt's midcentury magnum, not just for the exterior but for the interior as well. In fact, the Python was as close to a mass-produced custom gun as any factory gun ever created.

A unique comparison of an early-production four-digit Python with 6-inch barrel and fully checkered grips (top) and a later-production five-digit gun featuring a 4-inch barrel and smooth-topped grips (bottom). Courtesy Little John's Antique Arms

"We had to hone all the parts, including inside the sideplates," Al remembers. "It was the only gun we did that on. We polished everything, including inside the hammer strut. There were only two of us allowed to work on the Python, myself and Don Bedford."

Indeed, because of all the intricate hand fitting and polishing involved, Colt used only its most highly skilled workers for the Python and the Single Action Army. Consequently, the trigger pull was lighter on the Python than even the Officer's Model Match and ranged from a minimum of 23?4 pounds to not more than a 31?2-pound pull. By way of comparison, the trigger pull on the Official Police was 41?2 pounds.

"Usually, a Colt worker would be able to go through four guns an hour on the average," says Al, "but for the Python, because of all the extra hand work involved, it averaged about three guns per hour to build and fit everything just right. Then we conducted shooting tests at the company range for accuracy and extraction. And if the gun wasn't accurate enough, we'd have to take it back to the factory and rework it first thing in the morning, which meant we couldn't start on any other guns until that one was fixed."

All of this extra attention to detail paid off. Initially priced at $125--the same as the reintroduced Single Action Army--the Python was an immediate winner. Decorative engraving was also offered, starting at $245 and going up from there. "This gun could only be built by Colt," lauded the company's full-page introductory ad. "A limited number of gun connoisseurs will mark 1955 as a distinguished year in handgun history, with the purchase of this Colt masterwork."