Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army, Bisley Model

Serial Number: 272651

Year of Manufacture: 1905, shipped January 2, 1906.

Caliber: .32-20 WCF

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

Barrel Length: 7 1/2"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade, a silver-colored bead has been installed on the blade. The rear sight is “V”-notch integral to the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece checkered hard rubber with rampant colts in ovals at their tops. The inside of each panel has "2651" hand-scribed. The grips have a few light nicks and small scratches, mostly on the bottom edges, with a couple of more notable marks on the bottom edge of the left panel. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. Most of the balance is scattered light finish wear on the barrel and handling wear in the grip areas. The frame retains generally strong case color with some areas muted. There are some minor nicks, scuffs and thin scratches. There is infrequent faint oxidation. The action shows operational wear including a light turn-line on the cylinder, mostly not through the finish. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good 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 was shipped January 2, 1906 to Pacifica Hardware & Steel Co. in San Francisco, CA 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 a beautiful example of a 1st Gen. Bisley, made in 1905 and chambered for .32-20 Winchester with a 7 1/2” barrel. The revolver is in just about as good condition as you could ask of a 120 year old revolver, retaining the great majority of its original finish, a strong bore and good mechanics. Don't let this classic Bisley Model pass you by. Please see our photos and good luck!