Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, Bisley Model

Serial Number: 306187

Year of Manufacture: 1908

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading-Gate Cylinder

Barrel Length: 4 3/4"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade. The rear sight is “V”-notch integral to the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece checkered black hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops. The inside of each panel is hand-scribed with "6187". The grips have even light handling wear with some scattered light nicks, most along the back edge of the right panel. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is well defined, sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is scattered light erosion and infrequent pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 6/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 40% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The grip areas show handling wear and there is wear along the ejector housing. The frame has some good color in well protected areas with most exposed surfaces muted. There is some other scattered more minor wear. Some worn areas are going to a light patina. There is some scattered light surface oxidation. There are some light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a Colt Archives letter which indicates it shipped November 4, 1908 to Hibbard, Spencer & Bartlett & Co. in Chicago, Illinois as one of two guns of the same type in the shipment.

Our Assessment: 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 distinguished by the longer grip, the wider hammer spur, and the wider trigger. These distinctive revolvers were serial-numbered in the range of 156300–331916, in the same sequence as the Single Action Army. This is an example of a 1st Gen. Bisley, made in 1908, chambered for the classic .45 Colt cartridge with a 4 3/4” barrel. The revolver shows light wear given its age of nearly 120 years, retaining about 40% original finish, a decent bore and strong mechanics. This will make a neat addition to a Colt or old-West revolver collection. Please see our photos and good luck!