Alright, I guess it has to be me that says it...
They don't make Pythons anymore!
I've got three myself, a 4" blue in unfired condition, a Hunter (Halliburton set) that I bought new and is unfired, and a 6" K-Series stainless that is my shooter.
That 2-1/2" blue Python (the rarest of barrel lengths) IS going to show some holster wear if you carry it even if only occasionally. That wear, or having it reblued, will diminish it's value immensely. In short, it's too 'purty to use other than maybe an occasional trip to the range.
But subjecting a clean 2-1/2" Python to holster wear?... Never!
Serious; a 2-1/2" S&W 686 would make a GREAT BBQ pistol AND a practical carry revolver besides. Plus, you can even drop it a few times and you won't feel like you just killed your own child like you would if you dropped the Python.
My .02, but it's worth, like, a million dollars...