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Rare Colt Bisley Model Frontier Six Shooter Flattop Target Model Revolver with Factory Letter

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:8,500.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Rare Colt Bisley Model Frontier Six Shooter Flattop Target Model Revolver with Factory Letter
A very rare example of a .44-40 Colt Bisley Model Flattop Target Model Revolver manufactured in 1899. The table of Colt Single Action production records in THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS by R.L. Wilson indicates that only 97 Bisley Target Single Action Revolvers were chambered for the .44-40 Winchester cartridge. The revolver has a full blue finish with casehardened hammer and is fitted with two-piece, black hard rubber, checkered grips with the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval at the top. The revolver has a block front sight with nickel-silver blade on the barrel and a target rear sight on the flattop frame. The pistol has the distinctive Bisley hammer and elongated grip. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the one-line Hartford 'elongated block letter' address. The left side of the barrel is marked "(BISLEY MODEL) COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER". The caliber designation "V 44" is stamped on the underside of the barrel just ahead of the frame. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt 'two-date/two-line' patent markings followed by the encircled Rampant Colt trademark. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "599". The full serial number, "183827" is located on the bottom of the frame, the trigger guard and the backstrap. The rear face of the cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number "827". All of the serial numbers match. The accompanying factory letter verifies the serial number, caliber, barrel length, blue finish, rubber grips and that it was shipped as 1 of 2 to Colt Patent Fire-Arms Mfg. Company, San Francisco Agency, San Francisco, California on March 17, 1899.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 44-40 WCF
Finish: blue
Grips: black hard rubber
Serial Number: 183827
Condition: Very good overall. The revolver has a silver-gray patina with approximately 20% of the original blue finish remaining, mostly in the protected areas on the barrel, frame, cylinder, trigger guard and backstrap. There is light pitting on the left side of the barrel below the front sight; the remainder of the revolver has a smooth finish. The hammer has approximately 40% of the original case colors. The hard rubber grips are in excellent condition. All of the markings are sharp. The action is fine. This is a good-looking, original example of a very rare Colt Bisley Model Flattop Target Revolver in an equally rare caliber with desirable "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" markings.