Catalog Auction info Auction #132 - Two-Day Sale, November 20th & 21st (#132) 11/20/2021 9:00 AM EST Closed Starts Ending 11/20/2021 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Lot #105 Colt Python “The First 4 Inch Barrel” Double Action Revolver Click image to enlarge PreviousNextSimilar Items Lot closed - Sold Price (Including Buyer`s Premium):$6,655 Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 Description Description: serial #253, 357 Magnum, 4” barrel with a bright excellent bore. This is a rather storied early Python, leaving Colt in 1955, a full five or more years before the 4” barrel was offered, shipping as a 6” gun. Purchased by a Mr. Phillip Perry in Illinois in 1956 while working for his Police Department, which only allowed 4 inch barreled guns as duty arms, he immediately brought the gun to the famous Tommy Haas, who expertly shortened the barrel, matching the original factory profile and set-back at muzzle precisely. A copy of his original sales receipt with serial number, dated February of 1956 is included along with two detailed letters from the owner describe the modification. He further goes on to detail a joint Police Shoot in May 1959, sponsored by Colt Firearms and Indiana University, in-which he was shooting his 4” Python, which drew the attention of many of the shooters, but also the Colt reps. on-hand. One of them (Bob Matt) convinced Officer Perry to let him take the gun back to Colt’s for study and inspection. An included copy of a December 1959 dated letter to Mr. Perry from Mr. Robert Matt at Colt’s thanks him, tells him the Colt Custom department has cleaned his revolver for him and put it in A-1 Condition, and mentions precisely: “The Research and Development Department here at Colt’s were very much interested in seeing your weapon. They joined me in thanking you for permitting me to bring the gun to the factory for their inspection.” One can easily surmise, this arm was indeed the seed that blossomed into the four-inch Colt Python revolver just a year or so later. (Matt himself was a former Indiana State Trooper and the Director of Public Relations at Colt.) The gun shows carry wear associated with holster use, retaining perhaps 92-95% original blue. The action is slick as glass and timing and lock-up are perfect. The fully checkered American walnut silver Rampant Colt medallion grips rate excellent to as-new, Officer Perry having replaced them with a pair of finger groove grips for carry; those grips are included with the gun as well. Later on Officer Perry replaced the factory sights with a set of Millet orange bar front – white outline rear sights, but if one wished, factory sights could easily be put back on the gun. Included is the copy of the return letter from Bob Matt at Colt’s, a letter from Perry to Mr. S.P. Fjestad at the NRA, and another to Roy Huntington at Publisher’s Development Corp (American Handgunner, GUNS Magazine and Shooting Industry), both letters detailing the history of the gun, its modifications and the fact that he still had the original grips, sights and piece of cut-off barrel, hoping they would wish to do an article on the gun (the piece of barrel is also included with the gun), as-mentioned, the original sales receipt (Officer Perry was 24 at the time of the purchase of his Python), and two copies of “Guns” magazine, one from February 1960 in-which there is a detailed article on the very match Mr. Perry participated in when he met Mr. Matt of Colt (it is in fact the cover story) and a June 1961 issue in-which Mr. Matt is shown shooting a 6” Colt Python in multiple shooting positions at the very same Indiana University police training facility. A very handsome example, that saw honest, likely daily use, and has an irrefutable connection to the development of the iconic 4” barrel Python we know today. (3B10051-87) {C&R} (4000/6000) Categories: Firearm Terms and conditions TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE The following paragraphs represent the terms under which all sales by Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. are conducted. Bidding on any item in the sale indicates the bidder’s full acceptance and understanding of all terms and conditions of sale. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. has taken great care in the preparation of the descriptions in this catalog. Although we believe everything in the descriptions to be true, we do not guarantee any part of any description. We recommend that the bidders view the items in person and form their own opinions as to condition, originality, origin, etc. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will consider all requests for refunds. If a customer is unhappy with a purchase, we will be happy to discuss a remedy with them. All requests for refunds must be made within 30 days of the sale date. Therefore, it is important that absentee bidders pay for their items in a timely fashion. All requests for refunds received after 30 days of the sale date will not be considered. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to reject any bid in order to protect our consignor’s interests. PAYMENT POLICY All invoices are payable upon receipt. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept cash, check, wire transfer, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express as payment for items purchased. Online payment is available for buyers directly through the online invoicing process. Bidders who fail to pay their invoices in full by the 25th day following the sale agree to have their total invoice amount charged to the credit card listed on file. Credit card purchases are limited to $50,000.00 per customer, per auction. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to demand cash or hold merchandise until funds are collected in full. There will be a $35.00 charge for all returned checks. A 17.5% Buyer’s Premium will be added to all purchases regardless of price with a 2.5% discount when paid with check, cash or wire transfer. This premium is to be paid as part of the purchase price. Additionally, the 2.5% cash discount will only apply to invoices paid promptly, within 14 calendar days of the auction. Buyers should be aware of common delays in the mail and if that is a concern they are welcome to call our office to receive wire transfer information. No items are to be removed from our facility until paid for in full by the purchaser. GUIDELINES FOR FIREARM DELIVERIES All Federal, State and Local firearms laws will be strictly adhered to. FFL holders may take possession of any firearm on day of sale (excluding Class III) when they present a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License. If an FFL dealer is sending an “agent” to pick up items, that person must be a bona fide, paid employee of the company with a W4 on file. Outside contractors cannot be used as pickup agents. A SIGNED LETTER FROM THE FFL STATING THIS FACT MUST BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF PICK UP. The FFL Dealer will in turn be notified that a transfer was made to you as their agent. New Hampshire residents over the age of 21 may take possession of any firearm, on day of sale, provided the proper paperwork is completed and the transfer has been approved either through the N.H. State Police or the FBI NICS System, whichever is appropriate based upon the type of firearm(s) purchased. Non-resident individuals from states without waiting periods may take possession of long guns on day of sale after completing the proper forms and successfully completing a NICS check. If you reside in a state with a waiting period, your items will need to be shipped to a dealer in your state. No modern handguns will be delivered to non-resident individuals. All modern handguns purchased by non-resident individuals will need to be delivered to or shipped to an FFL holder in the buyer’s home state. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and all items must be paid for on day of sale. Bidders should be familiar with their local and state laws as Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be responsible for any parties purchasing items which may not be possessed in, or shipped to their state of residence. Some states have restrictions on transfers to C&R License holders, study your state and local laws before bidding. If you are the winning bidder of an item that you find does not comply with your state’s laws, you will still be required to pay your invoice, Amoskeag Auction Co. will then re-offer the arm on your behalf. FIREARM CLASSIFICATION: ANTIQUE - no paperwork required MODERN - Post-1898 firearm which requires an FFL or 4473 with corresponding successful background check in order to be delivered. C&R - for firearms that fall under the ATF Curio & Relics licensing and if purchased by a person with a “C&R License” no paperwork is required. NOTE: Items that meet the age requirements but have been altered from their original configuration may NOT be delivered on a C&R License. ABSENTEE/TELEPHONE/ON-LINE BIDDING • As a service to our buyers, Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept absentee bids from bidders who cannot attend the sale. Bidders without prior credit approval are required to submit a 20% deposit prior to bids being accepted (credit cards may be used for absentee deposits). Absentee bids will be bid in a competitive manner and an absentee bidder needs only to outbid another buyer i.e. bidding will not be opened at the maximum bid unless that is the next competitive bid. Because we do not open at the absentee bidder's top bid (unless that is the next competitive bid) there is a chance that the absentee bidder's bid may tie with a bidder using a different bidding method (live, Proxibid or telephone bidder). If an absentee bidder wishes to guard against this occurring, they may complete an absentee bid form with a "+" after the bid amount and forward that bid sheet to our office to be entered by Amoskeag. When a "+" is added after the bid amount, the bidder authorizes Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. to make one additional bid in order the break the tie. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges. Properly registered Amoskeag On-line bidders may use this service free of additional charges as an alternative to telephone or absentee bidding, at their election. On-line bidders should be aware that the sale sometimes proceeds at a very rapid pace and should plan their bidding strategies accordingly. • Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be held responsible for errors or omissions of any type that may occur during these services. • All absentee bids must be received by 8:00pm on the day prior to the auction. If you plan to attend the sale but will not be staying until the end and want to leave a bid on an item that will be sold after you leave, we must have those bids in by 8:00am on the morning of the sale. No bids will be accepted after that time. Please do not call the gallery once the auction has started (after 9:00am) as we will not be able to accept bids or make changes to bids. • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will also accept telephone bids on a limited basis. Telephone bidding is reserved for seriously interested bidders. In order to bid by telephone, the bidder must be willing to pay at least the low estimate of the item being bid on. NOTE: Phone bids MUST be arranged by 5:00pm ON THURSDAY prior to the sale. • All absentee/telephone bidder invoices are issued by end of business on the Tuesday following the sale; all invoices are due upon receipt. Invoices are to be paid either by cash or check, or by credit cards listed above. All items not paid for within 20 business days from sale date shall be considered abandoned as well as any deposit that was made on those items and Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. shall have sole discretion as to their disposal. SAFETY WARNING Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. does not warranty the safety of any article it sells. Therefore, it is imperative that, before you use any firearm, purchased here or anywhere else, you have it examined by a qualified gunsmith to determine whether or not it is safe to use. SHIPPING • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will make every effort to ship items in a timely fashion. All items, with the exception of modern handguns, are shipped via UPS Ground unless other arrangements have been made. All merchandise is shipped Signature Required. • All modern handguns are shipped via UPS Next Day Air service. • Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and for insurance on the items being shipped. Purchasers who self-insure can forego insurance charges if Amoskeag Auction is notified of your intent to self-insure. PICKING UP MERCHANDISE • Pickup will be by appointment only. • OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY FOLLOWING THE SALE. No merchandise will be delivered on those days. We will resume normal business hours on Wednesday. • Our office hours are Monday through Friday - 8:00 am to 4:00pm.
