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LOT 158
Outstanding Colt Bisley Flattop Target Model Revolver with
Rare “FOR .44 S&W CTG” Marking - Serial no. 195344, 44 S&W cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. This
exceptional Colt Bisley Single Action Flattop Target Model revolver was manufactured in 1900. This revolver is one of 64 Bisley Target
Model revolvers chambered for the .44 S&W cartridge, per “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army” by Brown. The revolver has
the distinctive Bisley Target Model features which include: flat top strap and sides fitted with dovetail mounted target rear sight, solid
front sight base with adjustable nickel-silver blade, Bisley “Humpback” grip and back strap, curved wide hammer with knurled spur,
curved wide trigger with smooth face and hard rubber checkered “Humpback” Bisley two-piece grips with the Rampant Colt trademark in
an oval at the tops. The revolver has the Colt high polish commercial blue finish with color casehardened hammer and niter blue rear sight, trigger
and screws. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” in one line. The left side of the barrel is
roll-stamped “(BISLEY MODEL) FOR 44 S & W CTG.” in one line. The caliber designation “44” is stamped on the underside of the barrel just in front of the
frame. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt “three-date/two-line” patent marking followed by the encircled Rampant Colt trademark.
The assembly number “203” is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. A “W” inspection mark is stamped in the hammer slot and “O” is stamped on the
right rear trigger guard bow. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The partial serial number “344” is
stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match.
CONDITION: Excellent plus. The revolver retains 98% of the bright original factory high polish blue finish. The revolver shows only the slightest collector type
thinning on the high edges. The back strap and grip strap have some light handling wear with some
thinning on the blue finish. The frame screws are in perfect condition and the screw heads and trigger
retain nearly all of the niter blue finish. The hammer has all of the casehardened finish with vivid
case colors. The grips are also excellent. All of the markings are crisp. Safety notch is worn; otherwise,
mechanically excellent. This is an exceptional example of a Colt Bisley Flattop Model revolver.
Examples of this revolver chambered for the .44 S&W cartridge are rare and to find one in such high
condition as this would be nearly impossible to improve upon.
Provenance: The Gateway Collection.
Estimate: 22,500 - 37,500
According to "The 36 Calibers of the
Colt Single Action Army" by Brown,
only 64 Colt Bisley Target Model
revolvers were chambered in .44 S&W.
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