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LOT 3107
Documented Cased London Agency
Marked and Shipped Antique Colt
Model 1878 Double Action Revolver
in Scarce .476 Eley with Factory
Letter, Featured in Don Wilkerson’s
Book “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver,
Model of 1878” - Serial no. 23614, 476 Eley cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., blue finish, checkered walnut grips.
The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was
shipped on September 11, 1890, to Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms
Mfg. Company’s London Agency in London, England,
and confirms the .476 caliber, 7 1/2 inch barrel, and blue
finish, with type of grips not listed. This was a 20 gun
shipment. This exact revolver is featured on page 369 of
Don Wilkerson’s book “Colt’s Double-Action Revolver, Model
of 1878”, where it is noted as being out of the Charles Marx
collection. Only 2,458 of these Model 1878 revolvers were
reportedly shipped in .476 caliber, and only 355 were in this
specific configuration, having a 7 1/2 inch barrel length
with blue finish, according to Wilkerson’s aforementioned
book (reference pages 362-369). Wilkerson indicates the
first .476 Model 1878 revolver was reportedly shipped to the London Agency on June 26, 1884, and the last was shipped on October 24, 1898.
The top of the barrel is marked with the very scarce one-line Colt Depot 14 Pall Mall London address. British proofs on the bottom of the barrel
and on the cylinder between each chamber. “476 CAL” marked on the left of the trigger guard. The serial number is marked on the butt, with
the matching last three digits “614” on the rear face of the cylinder, and assembly number “181” on the rear face of the cylinder. It is fitted with
blade front sight, groove top strap rear sight, and a lanyard swivel on the butt. Includes a partitioned oak case with Manton and Co. trade label
on the interior of the lid, old coin inset on lid, and an oiler.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% original blue finish with smooth brown patina on the balance, some
light oxidation, and a distinct barrel address.
Grips are very good with handling marks and
mostly defined checkering. Mechanically
excellent. Case is also fine, keyhole plate is
absent, with general storage related wear.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3106
Scarce Cased Colt Bisley
Flattop Target Model Single
Action Army Revolver in
.455 Eley - Serial no. 185316,
455 Eley cal., 7 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue finish, hard rubber
grips. Manufactured in 1899. Colt Bisley Flattop Target revolvers are considered
scarce, with only 976 in total reportedly manufactured per page 268 of the
“The Book of Colt Firearms” by Sutherland and Wilson. This is one of only
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, which states, “British target shooters liked the .455 Eley Bisley
Model Flat-tops for competitive shooting on the Bisley Range in England, from which the model gets its name.” These
were the premium Colt target revolvers of the day. The revolver has the distinctive Bisley Model features which include
the higher frame, humpback grip area, curved hammer with wide knurled spur, and wide trigger. Also features the scarce
flattop frame, with a raised fixed blade target front sight and dovetail mounted “V” notch rear sight. The top of the barrel
is roll-stamped with the one-line Colt Hartford address, with “(BISLEY MODEL) 455 ELEY.” on the left of the barrel. London
proofmarks on the barrel and cylinder, with “NOT ENGLISH MAKE” marked in small letters on the right of the frame. The
left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the two-line patent date markings followed by the encircled Rampant Colt
trademark. Matching visible full serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with matching “316” on the
rear face of the cylinder, and assembly number “1006” on the loading gate. An included Colt archives letter indicates
factory shipping information was unable to be located for this revolver. 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, 28 cartridges of
.455 ammunition, cleaning rod, and an oiler.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 70% plus bright original high polish blue finish with some thinning and light freckling on the balance, a few scuffs on top of the frame, and distinct markings. Grips are also very fine, with tight fitment, a
small chip at the lower right rear, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Case is very good, with general storage related wear. A very fine example of the famed Colt Bisley Flattop Target revolver in .455 Eley!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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.
Collector’s Fact
According to "Colt's Double-
Action Revolver, Model of 1878"
by Wilkerson, of the 2,458 Colt
Model 1878 Double Action
Revolvers produced, only 355 had
this combination of barrel length,
caliber, and finish.
As pictured & described in
Colt's Double-Action Revolver,
Model of 1878 by Wilkerson