Forerunners of the Python: The Colt Officer's Model Match .38 Special with heavy 6-inch barrel (top) and a nickel-plated Colt Official Police with pearl grips and 5-inch barrel (bottom). This particular gun was shipped on October 29, 1931, to Wolf & Klar in Fort Worth, Texas. The Official Police was a favorite among law enforcement officers. Courtesy Little John's Antique Arms

Indeed, "limited number" was the operative phrase since only one Python was produced that first year. And by the end of 1956 just a scant 300 guns had been shipped to a more than eagerly awaiting audience. However, by 1969 slightly more than 100,000 Pythons had been meticulously built--evidence of a legacy in the making. But in the beginning, not everything went smoothly.

"We had leading problems with the Python when shooting unjacketed bullets," recalls Al. "Because the cartridge was so hot, the pure lead literally melted going down the barrel. So we recommended that only jacketed bullets be fired in the Python, and that pretty much solved the problem."

In addition, the fully checkered, full-width grip design on early production guns was too thick, interfering with shell ejection. The solution was to thin out the top of the checkered grips with a slightly dished-out, smooth scallop--which many referred to as a thumbrest--to provide clearance for shell extraction. This, in turn, gave the gun an even more refined look. Later, some Pythons would be custom-ordered with smaller grips that followed the older-style Official Police configuration.

Throughout its long lifespan, the Python has undergone a number of cosmetic changes. Soon after the Python's initial introduction, a nickel finish was added, and together with Royal Blue, these remained the two primary factory finishes. A small number of Pythons were gold and silver plated for various commemoratives and special orders throughout the years.

In 1981, Coltguard, a proprietary electroless weather-resistant plating, was also made available. The stainless Python was reintroduced in 1984, followed in 1985 by the super-polished stainless Ultimate Python, which was fitted with an Elliason target front sight.

Al De John remembers the company having to buy new tools to create these stainless steel guns because the Python's intricate design played havoc with the cutting surfaces of the machinery.

An 8-inch-barreled Python was introduced in 1980, made doubly unique as in addition to .357 Magnum, it was also chambered for the .38 Special--not to be confused with the Python's smaller look-alike Diamondback in that same caliber. The next year the Python Hunter was unveiled, which was basically the 8-inch-barreled Python with Pachmayr grips, topped off with a 2X Leupold scope and packaged in an aluminum Halburton case with cleaning rod and tool kit. In 1982 the 8-inch Python's ongoing popularity was evident by the Silhouette, which came with a Leupold scope and Pachmayr grips, all of which were housed in a black case with nickel trim. There was also an 8-inch-barreled Ten Pointer Series with a 3X Burris scope, wooden grips, an extra set of neoprene composition grips and a carrying case.

In 1997 manufacture of the Python was switched from the main assembly line to the Colt Custom Shop, and the gun was offered in both highly polished and matte stainless steel and renamed the Python Elite. It remained in limited production, off and on, until 2004.

Although the Python is no longer cataloged, technically Colt's premier .357 Magnum has never gone out of production. Even in 2004, according to Joe Canali, head of Colt Custom Shop Sales, a limited number of Pythons were made. And this year--perhaps by the time this is read--to mark its 50th anniversary, one specially engraved Python will be produced, thus equalling the production run of its first year of manufacture. Adhering to tradition, you can be sure that only Colt's very best craftsmen will be permitted to assemble that gun.