Colt Frontier Six Shooter Bisley SAA 1st Gen .44-40 WCF Revolver, 1907 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2825

LSB#: 210930TP07

Make: Colt

Model: Frontier Six Shooter, Bisley Model

Serial Number: 296009

Year of Manufacture: 1907

Caliber: .44 WCF (.44-40 Winchester Center Fire)

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

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. / HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.” The left side of the barrel is marked “(BISLEY MODEL) / COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER”. The left side of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871. / JULY 2. 72. JAN. 19. 75.” and with an encircled Rampant Colt logo. The loading gate is marked with assembly number “4074”. The frame is marked “296009”, found again on the trigger guard. The back strap is marked “296 / 009”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “009”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “009” over the head of the cylinder pin. The inside of each grip panel has “6009” hand-scribed.

Barrel Length: 4 3/4”

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

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece checkered hard rubber with rampant colts in ovals at their tops. The grips have light handling wear with a few scattered light nicks, scuffs, and scratches, most notable at the bottom of the right panel. The checkering is generally well defined. There is pretty good detail in the rampant colts. There are no chips or cracks. The grips appear to have some light shrinkage with gaps forming at the frame on the top-front of each panel. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is minor erosion scattered through the bore with a patch of light pitting in the top of the bore about 1″ behind the muzzle.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 35% of its metal finish. There is finish wear scattered throughout with strongest finish in protected areas or around raised features. The worn areas show some discoloration from oxidation and minor surface erosion. The exposed portions of the frame have mostly muted, but there is some good case color inside the frame, visible with the cylinder removed. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs, scratches and minor surface oxidation. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots, the bottom mounting screw for the backstrap is a replacement with a domed head. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder has a removable bushing. The cylinder locks up with light rotational play on each chamber and very minor end-shake. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a Colt Archive letter which confirms the revolver’s configuration. The revolver shipped June 15, 1907 in a shipment of nine revolvers to Krakauer, Zork & Moye Company in El Paso, Texas. The revolver was returned to Colt October 29, 1907 and then shipped back out December 27, 1907 in a shipment of two revolvers to Durham, Carrigan and Hayden in San Francisco, California.

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. Bisleys were serial-numbered in the range of 156300–331916, in the same sequence as the Single Action Army. This example is a Bisley Model Colt Frontier Six Shooter, chambered for the .44-40 Winchester cartridge. The revolver shows honest wear for its age, but has a beautiful Old West appearance. It is also very interesting due to the information contained in the included Colt Archives letter. This revolver has managed to ship from Colt’s to both El Paso, Texas as well as San Francisco, California, both favorites among SAA collectors. This will make a nice addition to a Colt or American West collection for the lucky winner. Please see our photos and good luck!