Wheelgun Wednesday: Colt Python “Aces and Eights”

On August 2, 1876, a single shot in a Deadwood saloon ended the life of James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok, a scout, gunfighter, lawman, and one of the most recognised figures of the American frontier. Hickok was holding a pair of black aces and black eights when Jack McCall fired from behind. That combination of cards later became known as the “dead man’s hand,” a phrase that would cement itself in American folklore and appear in books, films, and countless retellings of Old West history.

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Law enforcement officers, competition shooters, and collectors all came to regard it as one of Colt’s finest double-action designs, and the “Python” brand name lives very strongly. Early Pythons in particular earned a reputation for smooth triggers, tight lockup, and accurate barrels. Production changes, discontinuations, and reintroductions over the decades only added to its mystique.

Today, that legacy intersects with one of the most enduring stories of the Old West. Camfour, Inc., one of the USA’s largest firearm distributors, has teamed with Colt to introduce the “Aces and Eights” limited edition Python. This commemorative model draws inspiration from Hickok’s final hand and the broader imagery of 19th-century frontier gun culture.

The “Aces and Eights” Python features machine-engraved scrollwork reminiscent of 19th-century American engraving styles, along with four gold-inlaid pips in 18k gold, two aces and two eights. The design is subtle rather than ornate, offering an Old West motif without overwhelming the Python’s recognisable silhouette. Each revolver ships in a custom presentation case and includes Colt-branded poker chips and playing cards, a nod to the saloon setting where Hickok spent his final moments.

Mechanically, the revolver remains a standard modern-production Python. Specifications include a stainless-steel frame with a semi-bright finish, a 2.5-inch barrel, the familiar red-ramp front sight with an adjustable rear, double-action/single-action operation, and walnut target stocks with Colt medallions. Chambering is .357 Magnum, consistent with the Python line since its introduction.

Commemorative firearms often lean heavily on aesthetics, but this release ties its theme to a real moment in American history, one that has influenced how the frontier era is remembered. Hickok himself carried a variety of handguns in his lifetime, including Colt Navy percussion revolvers and later cartridge conversions, but the Python connects to the same lineage of Colt craftsmanship that shaped those earlier models. I don’t feel I’m the intended customer, but the Wild West history certainly has an ability to entertain, and this story is no exception.

For collectors, historians, and Python enthusiasts, the “Aces and Eights” edition offers a blend of modern manufacturing and frontier symbolism. While it is a contemporary revolver through and through, its presentation reflects a story that has endured for nearly 150 years.

The firearm ships with a decorative presentation case, a commemorative challenge coin, Colt-branded poker chips, and a deck of vintage “Old West”-style playing cards.