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LOT 1124
Scarce Antique Colt Bisley Flat Top Target Revolver in the
Desirable 44 S&W Cartridge - Serial no. 165402, 44 S&W cal., 7 1/2 inch bbl.,
blue finish, hard rubber checkered grips. This is a scarce example of a Colt
Bisley Flattop Target revolver that was manufactured in 1896. These revolvers were developed after the standard flat
top Colt Single Action Army target models with the intent of having a longer grip frame to prevent the pistol from riding
up in the hand while shooting like the Single Action Army did. While the redesigned hammer was to aid in cocking the pistol with minimal movement of the hand in relation to the bore and grip of the revolver. This specific pistol is chambered in
the very scarce “44 S&W” of which only 64 Bisley flat top target were chambered in this caliber, which was the premier cartridge for target shooting during this time period. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: :COLT’S P.T. FA. MFG. Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.’ in one line. The left side of the barrel is marked: “(BISLEY MODEL) 44 S&W”. (Colt did not like marking the caliber with a competitors name like Smith & Wesson, but did on this one). The underside of the barrel is stamped with a
small Colt inspectors proof of a “V” along with the caliber designation “44”. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt “two-line/three-date” patent markings followed by the encircled Rampant Colt trademark. It has the single blade target rear sight dovetailed into the top of the frame
(adjustable for windage only) with the German silver blade front sight. The revolver has a high polish, full blue finish. The brown hard rubber two-piece grips with impressed checkering with the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval at the top of each grip panel. The distinctive Bisley hammer
has polished sides and a niter blue top and spur. The full serial number is visible on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. All of the serial numbers match including the grips. Total Bisley Flattop production was reportedly 976 revolvers.
CONDITION: Very fine with 70% of the original high polish blued finish with wear on the front and rear grip strap, the underside of the trigger guard bow, the sides of the cylinder and on the ejector housing as well as the edges and high spots overall. The grips are also very fine showing only minor handling marks overall with only one small minor nick on the bottom of the right grips and one directly behind the Colt oval on the right side. The markings are clear and sharp. Mechanically excellent. A very nice antique Colt Bisley Flat top target revolver in a desirable caliber that any Colt collector would be proud to own. Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
Rare Colt Bisley Revolvers Chambered for Smith & Wesson Cartridges
Collector’s Fact
Of the 976 Colt Bisley Flattop Target revolvers manufactured, only 64 were chambered in
.44 Smith & Wesson.
Collector’s Fact
Only 18 Colt Bisley Revolvers were produced in .32 Smith & Wesson.
LOT 1125
Highly Desirable, Documented Colt
Bisley Model Single Action Army Revolver in Rare .32 S&W
with Holster and Factory Letter - Serial no. 206477, 32 S&W cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. The Colt Bisley Revolver was
Colt’s target design modification of its best selling SAA. It was produced in many popular calibers, but only 18 standard frame Bisleys were produced in .32 S&W (see David Brown’s
“The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army,” page 198). Even the finest collections are missing a .32 S&W Bisley! The search is over as here is one of the 18 standard frame Bisleys in
.32 S&W. As David Brown explained, “The .32 S&W Single Action was made on special orders only, and for
that reason is another of the rare ones. Only 97 Colt Single Actions were made in this caliber in Standard and Bisley Models.” There is a “star” stamped on the right rear trigger guard indicating that the gun was worked on at
the factory, but the gun is “all Colt” and all serial numbers match. Per our consignor: “This gun comes from a collection dating back to the 1940s. The original collector sent many guns back to the factory for internal adjustments and tuning.
However, he kept detailed records of the Colt work on each gun. His notes on this gun clearly state that the gun received
a new hammer spring. The gun’s finish is entirely original.” The factory letter confirms the 7 1/2 inch barrel in .32 S&W and blue finish with
the type of stocks not listed. The factory letter also states the revolver was shipped to M. Hartley & Co. of New York City on March 4, 1901. This was a single
gun shipment. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top and “(BISLEY MODEL) FOR 32 S&W CTG” on the left side. the left side of the fame has the standard two-line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The matching full serial number “206477” appears on the frame, trigger guard, and
back strap, and the matching partial serial number “77” is marked on the back of both grip panels. Includes a floral tooled leather holster.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain 75% faded original blue finish, the cylinder retains 60% original blue finish and the grip
straps retain 40% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. 30% original case colors remain on the hammer and frame. There are a few patches of pitting on the frame and cylinder. The grips are also very fine with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster is fine with
minimal wear. This is an extremely rare chance to acquire one of only 18 standard frame Colt Bisley Model Revolvers. It is a must have to truly
complete a SAA collection.
Provenance: The Gary Burghoff Collection.
110 Estimate: 8,000 - 13,000