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LOT 1129
Scarce Cased Antique Colt
Bisley Flattop Target Model
Single Action Army Revolver in
.455 Eley with Checkered Ivory
Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no.
180941, 455 Eley cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish,
checkered ivory grips. The accompanying factory letter
lists this revolver as shipped in a 2 gun shipment on
December 14, 1898, to Colt’s London Agency at 14 Pall
Mall in London, England, in .455 Eley, with a 7 1/2 inch
barrel, and checkered ivory grips, with the further remark, “Records also
indicate Military and Bead front sight. There is no mention of a case or accessories being shipped with this gun.”
The mentioned bead front sight does not appear to accompany the revolver, and the “Military” sight mentioned
may be in reference to the blade target front sight and dovetail mounted square notch rear sight. Only
976 Colt Bisley Flattop Target revolvers were reportedly manufactured, per page 268 of “The Book of Colt
Firearms” by Sutherland and Wilson. Approximately 196 Colt Bisley Flattop Target revolvers chambered for
the .455 Eley cartridge, per page 38 of “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army” by David Brown. It has
the distinctive Bisley Model features including the higher frame, humpback grip area, curved hammer with wide knurled spur, and wide trigger. One-line Colt Hartford address on
top of the barrel, with “(BISLEY MODEL) 455 ELEY.” on the left. London proofmarks on the barrel and cylinder. Two-line patent dates followed by the encircled Rampant Colt trademark on left of the frame. Matching visible full serial
numbers on the frame, trigger guard (faint), and back strap, with unnumbered cylinder, and assembly number “594” on the loading gate. Filled in circular section on the back strap where a lanyard swivel once resided. Includes a
period hardwood case with Colt London trade label on the interior of the lid and a red felt lined fitted interior with cartridge block, 30 cartridges of ammunition (variety of headstamps, many are .45 Webley marked), cleaning rod,
“L” shaped combination tool, and oiler.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus original blue finish, with some rub marks around the edges, faint serial number on the trigger guard, and some light pitting. Grips are also fine, with charming aged patina, a few minor handling
marks, and defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. Case is very good, with soiled lining, and general storage related wear.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
Collector’s Fact
According to "The Book of
Colt Firearms" by Wilson, of
the 976 Colt Bisley Flattop
Target Model Single Actions
produced, only 196 were
chambered in .455 Eley.
LOT 1128
Desirable Cased Early
Production London
Agency Shipped Antique
Colt Single Action Army Revolver in .45 Eley Short (.450 Boxer)
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 1327, 45 Eley Short cal., 5 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This desirable
early production revolver was manufactured in 1873, the first year of
production, with a later shipment date to Colt’s London Agency. The approximate
first 3,500 Single Action Army revolvers were manufactured in the first year of
1873, according to page 39 of “The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army
Revolver 1873-1895” by the Wilkersons and Hoyt. The accompanying factory letter
lists this revolver as shipped in a 100 gun shipment on September 21, 1876, to
Colt’s London Agency at 14 Pall Mall in London, England, in “.45 ELY S” caliber
with blue finish, and barrel length and type of grip not listed. Of interesting note,
this 1873 production revolver was shipped from Colt three years after its original
manufacture, and has the factory updated leads on the cylinder notches which
were implemented around 1875. On page 373 of “The Official Record of the Colt
Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895,” the authors accounted for a total of 3,385
Single Action Army revolvers in .45 Eley Short (.450 Boxer) falling in the 1-164100
serial number range, and 2,346 of those had blue finish and a 5 1/2 inch barrel. One-line Colt Hartford address marked on top of the barrel, two-line patent dates on left of the frame,
and “45 CAL/B.” on left of the trigger guard. London proofs on the barrel and behind each cylinder flute. It has an unidentified inspector initial “O” on the trigger guard. Matching visible serial
numbers on the frame, trigger guard, cylinder, and butt, with assembly number “25” on the loading gate. The partitioned oak case has small illegible carved writing on top of the lid, an incomplete
Colt London Agency paper trade label on the interior of the lid, and has an internal cartridge block (no included rounds), oiler, and an “L” shaped combination tool.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% bright original high polish blue finish, 30% original case colors, smooth brown patina on the balance, light freckling, and crisp markings overall. Grip is very fine
with most of the attractive original glossy varnish finish, a patch of indentations at the upper right, light handling marks, defined edges and very tight fitment. The second click does not remain
engaged; otherwise, mechanically functions. Case is very good, small keyhole plate absent, with age related wear.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000