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LOT 1166
Colt Bisley Model Single Action Army Revolver in Desirable .45 Long Colt with Attractive Ivory
Grips - Serial no. 322210, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, ivory grips. Manufactured in 1912. The Colt
Bisley model was designed by Colt with accuracy and target shooting in mind, only manufactured between 1894-1915, per “The Book of Colt
Firearms” (1971 publication) by Sutherland and Wilson. For many, the Bisley feels better in the hand and cocks and fires easier thanks to its lower and
wider hammer and the wider trigger, making them excellent sidearms for serious marksmen. Matching visible serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and
back strap, with assembly number “866” on the loading gate. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top and “(BISLEY MODEL) 45 COLT” on the left
side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by an encircled Rampant Colt logo. Wide, low hammer spur with wide trigger
and characteristic “humpback” grip. Fitted with attractive period ivory grips.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus bright blue finish with some minor fading on the back strap, and 95% vivid case colors with some very minor surface
freckling. Grips are fine, with attractive grain, a nick at the top of the left grip, some age lines, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 1167
Winchester Repeating Arms Fifty-Round Picture Box of 45 Long Colt Ammunition with 1878 Double Action Revolver Illustration - Constructed
from cream colored paper, the box bears a black-on-green label on top and a wraparound seal label (unbroken on the sides). The top label is decorated with
a picture of the Colt Model 1878 double action revolver, with the text “50 .45/CENTRAL FIRE/METALLIC CARTRIDGES/FOR/Colt’s Double Action AND Single
Action Army Revolvers./Manufactured by the WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.,/NEW HAVEN, CONN., U.S.A./THESE SHELLS CAN BE RELOADED”. On the seal
label, both short ends are marked “45 Cal/COLT’S C.F.”, with the Colt signature and Rampant Colt on one long side, and Colt’s endorsement of the cartridges
on the reverse. The underside is marked in red text with Winchester’s quality assurance.
CONDITION: Very fine, with minor wear on the exterior and an intact seal. The 1878 image is lightly scuffed but still clear, and the markings on the underside
show wear and fading.
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 1165
Well-Documented Antique Colt Sheriff’s Model 1878 Double Action
Revolver Shipped to W.E. Hart with Factory Letter, Featured in Don
Wilkerson’s Book “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver, Model of 1878” - Serial
no. 31437, 45 Long Colt cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1893, per Colt factory
serial number records. The included factory lists this revolver as shipped in a single gun shipment on November 11, 1907, to W.E.
Hart, address not listed, in .45 caliber, with a 4 inch barrel (possibly a factory recording error), blue finish, and type of stocks not
listed, with a special notation: “Shop Worn.” No further information has been located in relation to W.E. Hart, but he was likely a Colt
employee based on the mention of the revolver being shop worn. This exact revolver is featured on pages 207 and 225 of Don Wilkerson’s
book “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver, Model of 1878” (published
1998), in which the photograph on page 207 shows this Sheriff’s
Model next to another example also in this auction Lot 1130,
both noted as being a part of the Charles Marx collection, and the
caption states, “This revolver was shipped to W. E. Hart on November 11,
1907. A notation in the ledger indicated that it was shopworn. The revolver
had been in inventory since 1892 and was one of only 13 revolvers shipped in 1907. Both revolvers were modified
into Sheriff’s models at the factory and exhibit the rare features of fluted frames and lanyard rings.” Only 560 ejectorless
Sheriff’s Model 1878 revolvers were reportedly shipped in .45 Long Colt caliber, with 47 listed as shipped with
a 3 1/2 inch barrel length and blue finish, and 290 with a 4 inch barrel length and blue finish, meaning this Sheriff’s Model
revolver with 3 1/2 inch barrel length is certainly scarce considering the combined shipment totals of either barrel length,
according to figures on page 216 of Don Wilkerson’s aforementioned book. Designed by William Mason, Colt’s factory
manager, and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, Superintendent of Engineering, the Model 1878 revolver was intended to be
a double action alternative to Colt’s legendary Single Action Army revolver. The Model 1878 was not considered to be as
popular as its single action cousin; however, there were still many that favored it in the West for its firepower, including
Captain Jack Crawford, who replaced Buffalo Bill Cody as “Chief of Scouts” shortly after the Battle of Little Bighorn. This
Sheriff’s Model revolver correctly lacks an ejector rod assembly. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line Hartford
address, with “45 COLT” on the left of the barrel. Full serial number marked on the butt, with the matching last three digits on
the rear face of the cylinder, and assembly number “64” on the loading gate. It is fitted with a blade front sight, groove top
strap rear sight, a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops, and a lanyard swivel on the butt.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains 30% original blue finish with smooth brown patina on the balance. Grips are fine with crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Doug Carlson; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
As pictured & described in
Colt's Double Action Revolver,
Model of 1878 by Wilkerson
Collector’s Fact
According to "Colt's Double-Action Revolver,
Model of 1878" by Wilkerson, of the 560
ejectorless Sheriff's Model 1878 revolvers in
.45 Long Colt, only 47 were listed with a 3
1/2 inch barrel and blue finish.
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