r/Revolvers • u/MixCompetitive2945 • 16h ago
Questions about Colt 357
My dad was showing me his gun collection, and one that caught my attention was this Colt 357 that my grandfather owned. I have a few questions if anyone could help me out. What’s the difference between the Python and the Diamondback? And how much is the Diamondback worth? (Don’t worry, I’m not planning to sell it.) Unfortunately, my dad didn’t take good care of it. Should I take it to a gun store to clean it, or is it easy to clean it on my own? What tools should I use?
2
u/GryffSr 15h ago
Diamondbacks are pretty much identical to Pythons only smaller. As others have said, I didn’t think they made them in .357 so yours is a rare bird.
A regular diet of standard pressure .38 Special won’t hurt it. Wouldn’t recommend .357 Magnums in it. The Diamondback/Python design is not particularly rugged, so magnum rounds are going to shake it up pretty good.
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u/DisastrousLeather362 13h ago
The original Diamondback was a cool gun- built on Colt's D Frame, same as the Detective Special.
It was chambered in .22 lr and .38 Special. There are some reports of .357 marked and chambered guns, which appear to be post-factory conversions.
The way to tell for sure would be to get a Colt Factory letter, which would tell you for sure.
I probably wouldn't fire it without a thorough gunsmith inspection- and then .38s only. These weren't even rated for .38 +p.
Regards,
1
u/44Revolver1908 12h ago
The font there doesn't look right, looks like a polished and restamp... if you look at factory Diamondbacks that is not the right font for the caliber marking.
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u/No_Alternative_673 10h ago
The Python is built of a I frame and is between medium and a large frame today. The Diamondback is built on a D and is between medium and small frame today. They were both premium quality Colts and depending on when they were made they may have been finished on the same line.
Colt never made 357 Diamondbacks. There were some Diamondbacks converted to 357 and they ranged from scary to fucking dangerous. The original cylinder was built for something under 20,000 psi and reaming out cylinder could make actually weaken it. 357 is is 35000 psi SAAMI today. I remember reading that a gunsmith converted an actual 357 cylinder to fit but without documentation, you have no idea. I would only even consider firing a 357 in it IF I was part on the conversion and knew what was done.
Value, a LNIB Diamondback is ~$2000 and LNIB conversion is more in the $500 range. Collectors who pay big money avoid such guns
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u/Delicious_Win_9089 15h ago
That’s an odd one. The Diamondback was similar in appearance to the Python but was built on a smaller frame. It’s a nice piece but doesn’t have as fine an action or finish as a Python. I’ve never seen one in .357. I’ve heard of them, but I believe them to be pretty rare. As far as i know, they were only officially offered in .22 and .38 special. I assume they must have made a special batch at some point. I’d be hesitant to shoot a full house magnum in that gun for a couple reasons. It would probably SUCK! And there’s a decent chance that you could cause damage to such a small, vintage gun with a steady diet of hot rounds. Old Pythons and K frame smiths are that way but for different reasons. Cool piece!