Description
Few revolvers carry the weight of legend quite like the Colt Python. Fewer still wear the coveted 3-inch barrel, and even fewer come from the limited Lew Horton production.
This 1988 Colt 3” Combat Python in .357 Magnum is one of only 510 examples produced for Lew Horton Distributors, making it one of the most desirable short-barrel Python configurations ever offered. Originally commissioned as a special distributor-exclusive model, the model combined the unmistakable elegance of the Python with a more compact, defensive-oriented profile, a formula that has only grown more collectible over time.
Finished in deep Colt royal blue, the revolver displays the mirror-like polish that defined Colt’s golden era of craftsmanship. The surface has that unmistakable liquid depth that collectors immediately recognize, a product of old-world polishing techniques rarely seen today. The ventilated rib, full underlug, and shortened 3-inch barrel give the revolver a muscular, purposeful stance while maintaining the refined lines that made the Python iconic.
Marked “Combat Python” on the barrel and chambered in .357 Magnum, this example is fitted with factory checkered walnut service stocks featuring the Colt medallions. The proportions are exceptional, compact yet balanced, retaining the full strength of the Python platform while offering a quicker, more agile presentation.
The 3-inch Python has long been regarded as one of the most collectible variations in the Snake Gun lineage. Its limited production, distributor-exclusive status, and practical appeal set it apart from standard production models. Among serious Colt collectors, Lew Horton Combat Pythons are recognized as a distinct and highly desirable subset of late-production classic Pythons.
Accompanied by its original box and factory documentation, this 1988 Lew Horton example represents not just a revolver, but a snapshot of Colt craftsmanship at its peak, a time when actions were hand-fitted, finishes were polished to perfection, and limited runs truly meant limited.
Compact. Powerful. Rare.
The 3” Lew Horton Combat Python stands as one of the most compelling and investment-worthy expressions of the Colt Snake Gun legacy.
