Welcome everyone to the 234th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only have Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

In our last edition, our poll sadly was not posted correctly and the subsequent poll data was not gathered. For that, I apologize.  

At this time, the original auction remains up with the American Luger still up for grabs. We can only hope the German-inspired and American-themed luger will find its way to a new home soon.

In this week’s edition of HGFC, we look at an engraved custom Colt Python chambered in .357 Magnum. As is tradition, this heavily engraved gat is currently up for sale on GunBroker for $9,499 Buy It Now.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Colt Magic or Ruined Classic? 

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Colt Magic or Ruined Classic?

Let’s see what the Staff had to say about this week’s offering:

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Colt Magic or Ruined Classic?

Selling this engraved classic wheel gat is GunBroker seller Florida Man Outdoors, located in Pompano Beach FL.  Let’s see what they had to say about this one-of-a-kind custom Python.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Colt Magic or Ruined Classic?

Authors Note: The item description listed below has been truncated to fit the format of this article. For the full item description please visit the auction linked here.

On consignment from a large collection of Flannery engraved Colt firearms is this 11981 Colt Python 6’’ .357 Mag. Being an excellent condition original Colt Python, the firearm on its own is quite rare and collectible however the gun has also been engraved by master engraver Jeff Flannery. Jeff Flannery Engraving Company, is a nationally recognized leader in the field of arms decoration. Jeff’s experience in the custom gun craft began in the early 1960’s when he studied Kentucky rifle making and engraving with the famous master, Cecil Brooks, whose works are in the possession of many famous Americans. His work can run well into four digits with over a year lead time. The gun is nickel plated and heavily engraved with nitre accent parts. Further, the gun features custom rams horn grips. A signed letter of authenticity produced by Jeff Flannery will accompany the firearm. This is for all intents and purposes, a functional worth of art worthy of any Colt collection.

We have over 10 Flannery Engraved Colts at the moment, please see our other items!

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Colt Magic or Ruined Classic?

Older Colt Pythons are subjectively and objectively just cool. There’s a certain cool factor around these guns and how they’re built that’s hard to explain. If you’ve ever had a chance to handle or shoot one, it’s something that’s instantly understood. There was a hope that the second-generation Python would pick up the torch, but sadly it seems to have fallen far short of the mark.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Colt Magic or Ruined Classic?

Older, now 1st generation Python and others are still worth a massive sum of money compared to other revolvers from this era. Why? Well, that’s the million-dollar question. Some will say build quality, others will cite materials, or maybe they just didn’t make them like they used to. Regardless, these will always stand the test of time and seem to only gain value. I’m not sure how engraving the entire gun increases the resale value, but I guess we’re now going to see if it does.

So what do you think? Is this Colt Python cool enough to warrant a price tag just below five figures or are you better off looking for one that’s priced far lower? As always, I leave it up to you, the readers, to decide.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Colt Magic or Ruined Classic?

What do you think?  Is this engraved 1981 Colt Python a Hot Gat or forever ruined Fudd Crap?  Be sure to let us know in the comments below, and cast your vote to let us know if this 1981 Colt Python 6” .357 Mag – Master Engraved – Ram Horn Grips is a Hot Gat or Fudd Crap: