Colt revolvers are one of the undisputed kings of arms collecting, revered for their craftsmanship and historic appeal. The Colt Python and its serpent-inspired counterparts have emerged as rising stars in the genre. We'll take a look at each of the seven Colt snake guns and find out what gives these predators their bite.

A consecutive pair of Colt Boa revolvers, one of the rarest and most valuable Colt snake gun examples.

What are the Seven Colt Snake Guns?

In order of original release date, the Colt snake guns list includes the Cobra, Python, Diamondback, Viper, Boa, King Cobra, and Anaconda. Each of the seven models in the series was named after a fearsome ophidian, a creative marketing tactic to stress the speed and precision of these desirable double action revolvers.

Manufactured in 1982, this Colt Python revolver and the Diamondback cased with it were both part of a certificate of deposit promotion run by The Bank of Findlay, located in the small village of Findlay, Illinois, in 1983.

From the debut of the .38 Cobra in 1950 to the .44 Magnum Anaconda in 1990, countless arms enthusiasts have gotten wrapped up in the coils of snake gun collecting. For those hunting these scarce sidewinders, some of the finest and rarest examples of the genre can be found at Rock Island Auction Company, and you can click on the images to learn more about each revolver.

Elvis Presley's Colt Python revolver sold for $172,500 at RIAC in May 2017, the most expensive snake gun to ever sell at auction.

The Colt Cobra

Hitting the market in 1950, the Colt Cobra was built on the company's tried-and-true "D" frame, the same used for the Police Positive Special and Detective Special. The greatest innovation this six shot, short-barreled revolver offered was the lightweight aluminum used for the Cobra’s frame, a material dubbed "Coltalloy" by the company. At 15 ounces unloaded, the Cobra presented a significantly less hefty sidearm than its Colt D frame predecessors and competitors like the Smith & Wesson Military & Police. Available in .22 LR, .32 Colt New Police, .38 Colt New Police, and .38 Special, the latter chambering was by far the most popular option.

The Cobra's original run ended in 1988, but in 2017 the model became first in a series of Colt snake gun rereleases. Paul Spitale, a Senior Vice President at Colt, pointed to a number of upgrades offered by the new Cobra, stating, "The grip was moved rearward to not only allow for more comfort and recoil control, but this also opened up the trigger guard area to allow for a flatter, more intuitive feeling trigger, as well as easy use with gloved hands."

The Colt Cobra prototype pictured below, which sold at Rock Island Auction Company last May, is documented as shipped to Newington Gun Exchange in Newington, Connecticut for Colt chief engineer, Paul Hochstrate on March 24, 2017. The factory letter states that this Cobra revolver featured a bar stock hammer, trigger and hand, a rapid prototype transfer bar, and a prototype mainspring. The revolver was also used for company testing and as part of the 2017 SHOT Show display.

A prototype for the 2017 Colt Cobra sold at Rock Island Auction Company in May 2024 for $4,406.

The Colt Python

Premiering in 1955, the Python brought real fangs to the Colt snake gun series with its .357 Magnum chambering. Dubbed the "Rolls-Royce of Colt revolvers" by R.L. Wilson and hailed the "best revolver in the world" by British author Ian V. Hogg, the Python was marketed as a premium wheelgun from the start.

An early second year production serial number "339" Colt Python DA revolver with box.

Designed to compete with the finest factory double actions, the mighty Python became known for its smooth trigger, hand fitting, small tolerances, and a super polished blued finish known as "Colt Royal Blue." The model's ventilated rib and full underlug barrel give this mesmerizing snake gun a distinct profile, and Colt boasted that while their competitors were rushing their revolvers off to shipping, the Python was still in the factory being polished with the care and respect it deserves.

This .357 Magnum Colt Python revolver is a one of 250 "Silver Snake" edition from Colt's Custom Shop, a desirable variant of one of the most popular snake gun models.

In advertising, Colt asserted that the Python's "very name means craftsmanship and incomparable value” and urged arms enthusiasts to pick up one of the top-of-the-line revolvers because "the value of the Colt Python won't be going down tomorrow." This prediction turned out to be a massive understatement. In recent years, the serpentine superstar has tipped the scales at auction, and even the reintroduction of this popular snake gun model hasn't impacted the impressive prices commanded by original examples.

The first production Colt Python Elite, serial number "PE00001", one of the most collectible examples of the Colt snake series.

The Colt Diamondback

The next Colt snake gun was released in 1966 and dubbed the Diamondback. Where the Python employed Colt's large I frame, the Diamondback was built on the D frame like its concealable Cobra counterpart. Though the Diamondback lacks some of the finesse of the Python, this reliable rattler offered a well-made wheelgun with adjustable sights and a long, grooved target hammer that's a joy to shoot.

Manufactured in the 1970s, this Diamondback includes a serrated blade front and fully adjustable rear sights, a pair of checkered gold Colt medallion grips, and a Colt vertical display case.

Like the Python, the Diamondback has been featured in numerous films and television roles. This superb serpent was chambered in .38 Special and .22LR, and it was produced in 2 1/2 inch, 4 inch, and 6 inch barrel lengths. The .38 Special snub nose version found favor among detectives, earning a strong reputation with West Coast agencies like the LAPD. Discontinued in 1988, the Diamondback has yet to be reintroduced by Colt, but original examples continue to enjoy popularity among collectors and handgunners.

A fine example of one of the most prominent models in the Colt snake gun kingdom, this 1969 manufactured Diamondback includes with its original box.

The Colt Viper

Colt's next serpent standout was revealed in 1977. The Colt Viper was built on the same compact, lightweight aluminum D frame as its popular Cobra predecessor, but shed its smaller sibling’s skin by offering a longer grip and four inch barrel length.

A Viper revolver in nickel finish, one of the rarest revolvers in the Colt snake gun lineage.

Other than the choice of blue or nickel finish, no other variations were available for this .38 Special venom shooter. The Viper wasn't able to match the success of its Cobra and Diamondback cohorts and was only produced for a single year, becoming one of the shortest lived species of Colt's iconic sidewinders. This rarity has made the Viper a valuable collector’s gun today. In 2024, the Viper surprised some revolver fans by becoming the latest of the Colt snake revolvers to receive a modern update.

A Colt Viper with a factory letter, shipped on February 15, 1978.

The Colt Boa

Even more elusive than the Viper, the Colt Boa was another .357 Magnum that used the same barrel as its powerful constrictor cousin, the Python. The Boa was produced in 1985 as a special limited edition revolver from Massachusetts distributor Lew Horton that was developed with the Mark V frame and finished in the Python's high polish blue.

One of only 100 consecutive sets of Colt Boa DA revolvers.

Only 1,200 Boa revolvers were produced, 600 with four inch barrels and 600 in six inch barrels. 100 matched sets were offered like the example pictured above. Thanks to its extreme rarity, the Boa has become one of the forbidden fruits in gun collecting, a temptation for not only Colt snake series completionists but a must have for any advanced arms collection.

The included factory letter lists this Colt Boa as having a six inch barrel chambered in .357 Magnum with "Royal Blue" finish and checkered rosewood stocks when shipped on March 8, 1985. Includes an original Colt "wood grain" box.

The Colt King Cobra

Introduced in 1986, the King Cobra was developed around the Colt Trooper MK V, the first Colt revolver to offer a matte stainless steel before a blued version. This .357 Magnum powerhouse was also the first Colt wheelgun to feature an image as part of the standard barrel stamp, in this case a roll stamp of the gun's fierce namesake with its hood unfurled.

With its bold, clean lines, the Colt King Cobra offers a hypnotic harmony of strength and precision.

This serpent sovereign could be purchased in six barrel lengths and a number of special variants, including the rare Whitetailer II, the snub nose Combat Cobra, and the Colt Grizzly. An example of the latter pictured below was produced by Colt Custom Gun Shop and features a Magna-ported Python barrel and an unfluted cylinder. In 2019 the King Cobra was reintroduced as a .357 Magnum version of the new Cobra, and a 10 shot .22LR variant was later released as the King Cobra Target.

As one of only 500 produced, the Grizzly is another scarce find on our Colt snake guns list. Includes original box and blue Colt hard case.

The Colt Anaconda

Released in 1990, the .44 Magnum Anaconda represents the apex predator of the Colt Snake gun genus. The company's first large frame revolver since Colt's New Service line, the stainless steel Anaconda was built on the hefty "MM" frame and intended to compete with the likes of the Smith & Wesson Model 29, Ruger Redhawk, and .44 Magnum Dan Wesson revolvers. While the Anaconda found a modest niche with hunters and shooters, Colt's coiled colossus was late to the .44 Magnum market by several decades and missed the height of the craze.

A bite above the rest of the Colt snake gun kingdom, the mighty .44 Magnum Anaconda packs a wallop.

Like the Python and King Cobra, the Anaconda saw numerous variants that appeal to today's collectors, including a somewhat short lived run of Anacondas chambered in .45 Colt and several special issue of the model like the "Colt Anaconda First Edition" series, the Anaconda Realtree Camouflage revolvers, and Colt Kodiaks like the example pictured below. With the success of the rebooted Cobra and Python lines, Colt decided to lure the Anaconda out of its lair for a fresh run in 2021.

Another rare example on our Colt snake guns list, this Colt Kodiak was part of a special run of only 2,000 Anacondas with a ported barrel and unfluted cylinder. Includes original picture sleeve box and factory blue hard case.

Snake Guns for Sale

As the gun collecting pursuit expands, comparatively modern classics like the Colt snake gun revolvers have become increasingly sought-after. From the Cobra to the Anaconda, these serpent-themed sensations carried the legacy of the Colt double action revolver in the last half of the 20th century and have become synonymous with beauty, balance, and a precision worthy of their lethal namesakes.

A Colt Python Elite, a rare version of one of Colt's most popular snake guns.

While most vintage Colts hold their value and increase in over time, Colt snake guns have been rattling the market in recent years with notable price spikes. With rarities like the California Combat Python, Boa, and Colt snake eyes sets reaching five-figure records and popular everyman models of the genre trending higher each year, now is the time for gun collectors to strike.

A cased matched set of Python “Snake Eyes” revolvers, one of a limited run of Colt snake eyes sets and among the most popular types of Colt Snake gun revolvers.

Original examples of the 7 Colt snake guns, the Cobra, Python, Diamondback, Viper, Boa, King Cobra, and Anaconda, are more desirable than ever, and the finest examples of each species can be wrangled at Rock Island Auction Company.

The average value of a Colt Boa revolver at Rock Island Auction Company over the past seven years demonstrates the collectability of the rarest example on the Colt snake guns list.

For arms enthusiasts, the Rock Island Auction newsletter offers a range of gun blogs and gun videos on revolvers from every era, including 19th century Colt classics like the Paterson, Walker, Dragoon, Navy, Army, SAA, and Lightning, as well as blackpowder Smith & Wessons and Remingtons and 20th century favorites like the Model 1917,  Registered Magnum, the .44 Magnum, the Model 10, and more.

Find the best snake guns for sale at Rock Island Auction Company, including this Colt Boa with a 4 inch barrel and a factory box.