The serial number on the box is K50336. The box originally housed a blue 4' 357 Colt Python. Bob Allen Colt Python pistol handgun revolver soft case carrying case 15x7 L@@K! Please see ZOOMED pictures to determine the physical condition Used case Some imperfections from use. Colt Python Serial Number Location In Florida Colt Pythons with 8-inch and 6-inch barrels and royal blue finish The Python immediately made inroads into the law enforcement market when introduced, with the 6-inch barrel being popular with uniformed officers and the 4-inch barrel considered optimum for plainclothes use. Enter the serial number, without spaces or dashes, to search the database. If multiple models appear for your serial number simply match the date with the appropriate model, as certain vintage firearms can share serial numbers between different models. According to Colt, it was designed to shoot 2' groups at 15 yards, and it does, even 44 years later. We recently had a visitor looking for the date of manufacture (DOM) of his Colt Python with a low serial number beginning with the KT prefix. He called Colt at 1-800-962-COLT and they informed him that the DOM was 1991.

Serial Number Location On Colt Python
Colt Python 357 Serial Number Location

Frame and Slide Markings

Always Examine The Markings With A Magnifier:
The markings that were applied to a metal surfaces of various military 1911/1911A1 pistols were applied both before and after the final polishing/finishing was done.Some specific markings, such as the final acceptance mark and the Ordnance Acceptance mark were always done after finishing.Other marks such as the standard slide manufacturers identification slide legend were always done before final finishing.Still other marks such as the serial number were (depending on the time period and the manufacturer) applied before, after and both before and after.An example of both before and after is the serial number of the post mid 1943 Remington Rands or Ithacas.

The “NO.” prefix was roll marked at the same time the right hand receiver legend (United States Pro…) was marked.Then after finishing and inspection, the serial number was stamped. 1911A1 pistols before mid 1943 had the serials stamped on before finishing.Early 1911 Colts up to about serial 7500 had their serials stamped after the finish was applied.This was about the same time that the serial number location was moved to below the trigger. Examining the markings will help determine if the pistol has been refinished, and it will certainly help to determine if the markings are original or counterfeit.However a thorough knowledge of what the markings are supposed to look like on any specific pistol is generally necessary.Markings that were applied before finishing will usually have all traces removed of the ridges created when the stamping die displaces metal. Often the ridges are hard to see.Another clue, especially on blued pistols, is around the stamps where metal is displaced, the finish will often flake off in microscopic chips that will leave a white shadow appearance around the letters.If the pistol is blued after these stamps, the micro flaking is highly unlikely.Only by studying lots of pistols will one know what he is looking at, and that is getting to be more and more difficult. Was the stamp before or after finish. These will be indicated in the descriptions below. These marks will have a white or burnished appearance. Also remember that when metal is stamped it is pushed a side and will create a ridge. A powerful magnifying glass is essential to see the ridges and the detail around them. If the ridge is absent and it should be there, The pistol most likely has been refinished. Refinished guns are worth much less then guns with the original finish.

Markings that are applied after finish are Arsenal Inspectors marks, sometimes firing proofs, and the Ordinance Escutcheon (Cross Cannons).

Colts Patent dates (Click on examples below to see larger version)
1911 Slide Patent Dates: 1 to 84,000 approx. 'Aug. 19, 1913' Added to slide patent date added at approx. S/N 83,856	1914 through 1945 Slide Patent Dates: 84,000to end of production approx.

Serial Number Location On Colt Python

'Rampant Colt' details by serial number
Circled, rear located Rampant Colt: 1 to 20000 approx.	Non-circled, rear located Rampant Colt. 20,000 to 285,000 approx.				Non-circled, middle located Rampant Colt. 285,000 to end of production approx.
Serial number placement (M1911 and M1911A1)
About Serial Number 1 to 4500 (Stylized numbers to about 4500)		4500 to 7500 (Prefix to underline 0, font changed to BLOCK)		7501 to end of production (Moved to behind slide stop hole)
Colt SN 710001 to about 1139xxx)		Colts between serial number 710001 and about 1139XXX have the serial number also underneath the firing pin stop plate.
'United States Property' mark location
From Serial Number 1 to about 510000			From Serial Number about 500000 to end of production
Ithaca slide markings
The 'Model of 1911 A1 U.S. ARMY' marking on the right side of the slide is normally found in the range from 906000 to 916404.
Remington Rand serial number variations
RR halted production in 1943, When they resumed production the line from under the 'O' in 'NO' in front of the serial number was removed (see *IMAGE* above). This transition started at approximately 955000. (Top pre 955000, Bottom post 955000)
Remington Rand slide markings variations
Type 1 Slide: Observed from 916405 to approximately 955000	Type 2 Slide: Observed from approximately 927000 to about 1015000				Type 3 Slide: Observed from approximately 980000 to end of production. RR legend is shorter then the slide stop.
US & S 'P' proof markings