Colt Python .357 Magnum 4” Blued Double Action Revolver, MFD 1976
SOLD FOR: $1,425.00
LSB#: LSB250824GS013
Make: Colt
Model: Python
Serial Number: 43822E
Year of Manufacture: 1976 (Per Colt Serial Lookup; E-suffix series) Modern
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: Double/Single Action Revolver with Swing-Out, Six-Shot Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “PYTHON .357 / * .357 MAGNUM CTG *” with beautifully applied gold fill in the lettering. The right side of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” The crane and frame are each marked “43822E.”
Barrel Length: 4” Vent-Rib, Full-Lug Barrel
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramp that has been carefully painted white within the grooves. The rear sight is a fully adjustable square-notch mounted to the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The revolver wears Pachmayr rubber combat grips inset with gold Colt medallions. The grips remain clean and tight with minimal handling marks and no damage. Overall, they are in Excellent condition.
Finish Type: High-Polish Royal Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, and the rifling is sharp. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 95–96% of its original blue finish. There is a small rub spot near the muzzle on the left side of the barrel and an extremely faint turn line on the cylinder. The remainder of the finish is deep and lustrous, displaying Colt’s renowned mirror polish. The screw heads are sharp, the edges crisp, and the rollmarks remain bold and gold-filled. Overall, the revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action is smooth and properly timed, with Colt’s signature tight lock-up. The double-action pull is consistent, and the single-action break is clean. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Our Assessment:
By 1976, the Colt Python had already secured its place as the crown jewel of American double-action revolvers—a firearm that combined the strength of the .357 Magnum with the precision and artistry of Colt’s master craftsmen. The Python’s hand-fitted lockwork, full-lug barrel, and ventilated rib were born from an era when revolvers were built with pride, not expedience.
The .357 Magnum cartridge, introduced four decades earlier, was the powerhouse of its day—capable of both defensive and sporting excellence. Colt’s execution of this chambering in the Python gave shooters a revolver that was both refined and formidable, with target-grade accuracy and unmistakable authority in the hand.
This 4-inch example from 1976 showcases the model’s most balanced configuration—sleek, lively, and practical. Its gold-filled rollmarks lend a touch of elegance, while the deep Royal Blue finish glows with craftsmanship that modern manufacturing rarely matches. With its crisp mechanics, superb bore, and stunning presentation, this Python captures everything collectors and shooters love about Colt’s golden-era revolvers.
KF
