Offered here is a fantastic piece of Colt firearm art by famed Master Engraver Howard Dove (1942-1994). Dove signed his extensively engraved and gold embellished masterpiece on the left side of the grip frame: "HMD." Originally manufactured in 1978, this revolver exhibits highly embellished American patriotic themes and was featured on the cover of the "2017 Standard Catalog of Firearms" and fully described on page 13. This well-known firearm price guide is included. The accompanying March 4, 1986, letter from Harbans Singh on Art Jewel Enterprises, Ltd. Letterhead confirms that the engraving and gold inlay was done by Master Engraver Howard Dove and the two-piece grips and grip cap were embellished by Master Engraver Leonard Francolini. The work was commissioned by an individual from California and completed by Art Jewel Enterprises. A fine floral scroll engraving on a punch dot background that is accented with gold inlaid borders covers nearly all of the surfaces. Even the sides of the trigger and hammer are engraved. The gold inlaid patriotic iconography includes an eagle holding a "CREATED BY GOD" banner on the left side of the barrel, an eagle holding a "PROTECTED BY COLT" banner on the right side of the barrel, the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Bell on the frame and the famed Iwo Jima flag rising and Archibald Willard's painting "The Spirit of '76" (aka "Yankee Doodle") surrounded by 13 stars on the non-fluted cylinder. The trigger guard has "COLT" in gold, and a gold inlaid geometric line and dot pattern is featured on the barrel and ejector housing at the muzzle. The two-piece wraparound grip features a Rampant Colt engraved on an inlaid gold oval, a gold inlaid engraved Armsmear crest and raised gold Fleur De Lis. The butt cap has a raised silver shield and gold rearing snake on a matte background, a line of raised gold stars above engraved scrollwork around the screw heads and silver bands that read "DIVIDED WE FALL" and "UNITED WE STAND." The back of the butt cap is signed by Francolini. It has standard Colt factory barrel markings, a gold-plated front sight and a full adjustable gold outlined square notch rear sight. The exhibition grade rosewood case has Colt themed inlays on the exterior of the lid, and the interior of the case is French fitted in red velvet and holds a matching set of tools.

Near mint as master embellished showing the slightest handling marks. The case is extremely fine showing a minor chip missing from a corner and a few cracks on the bottom panel. A true work of modern firearm art signed by renowned Master Engraver Howard Dove that would be a great addition to the most advanced Colt Snake collections! This is one of the finest known exhibition quality Colt Python revolvers. A must have for the serious Colt collector!