Description
One for the serious Colt collector, only 44,350 made!
The Colt Bisley is a variation of the legendary Colt Single Action Army revolver, better known as the Colt Peacemaker, a weapon that dealt death to bad guys six bullets at a time.
The Colt Single Action Army (SAA) is a single-action revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six metallic cartridges. It was designed for the U.S. government service revolver trials of 1872 by Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company — today’s Colt’s Manufacturing Company & was adopted as the standard US military service revolver until 1892.
Following on from the roaring success of the Peacemaker, the Colt Bisley was introduced in 1894 as a target pistol. The name Bisley came from the famous firing range in Bisley, England. The Colt Bisley can be identified by the longer grip, the wider hammer spur & the wider trigger.
As with all Colt revolvers, the serial numbers are stamped on the frame, the backstrap & the trigger-guard at the end of production & on this example, all numbers are fully matching other than the loading gate.
Bisleys were serial numbered in the range of 156300–331916, in the same sequence as the Single Action Army. After No. 161,376 all Bisleys had “BISLEY MODEL” with the caliber stamped on the left side of the barrel as this one does, which is rare for older Colt revolvers.
A total number of only 44,350 were manufactured & production of the Bisley was terminated in 1912 with this example being manufactured in 1906 according to Colt records with a barrel length of 5 1/2” which were not as common as the 4 1/2” barreled version.
This example is in very good condition as can be seen in the photos with grips which unusually, are in great condition as can be seen in the photos with no chips or even much wear!
Most Bisley Standard Model Revolvers shipped to a United States address were not used for target shooting at all, but for self-defense because the grip & hammer were more ergonomic for the hand & ideal for fast shooting, as well as easier to use for people with various physical handicaps.
The late 1890s with increased urbanization in the West suggests the possibility that many of these pistols were companions to the lever-action rifles of the same period & that the low slung hammer, less humped backstrap & short barrel may have suited the city-dwelling suit-coat-wearing clientele who still found themselves outdoors not only on horses but in buggies & automobiles. The need for man-stopping bullets was decreasing in urbanized environments & so the .38WCF was a popular choice.
This gun would make an excellent addition to your Colt collection.
Do your own research & you will know if this is for you.
Please view the photos carefully & make your decision based on what you see, as they form the main description & override all written information.
This is sold with our usual return policy for collectable guns…if you buy this gun & when you receive it feel that we have not described it accurately or it is not what we have said it is, we will just refund your money upon its return.
We think we have described it accurately & correctly but do not claim to be infallible so if we have got anything wrong, it is unintentional & are happy for feedback from people who know more than we do.
Whilst we check these out for serviceability, the warranty has expired & this is sold on an ‘as is’ basis. As with all used guns, we recommend you have this checked by a suitably qualified person prior to shooting.
Call for shipping cost to your dealer.
