Colt Frontier Six Shooter Bisley SAA .44-40 Winchester Revolver, 1901 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1226.51
LSB#: 210418FW50
Make: Colt
Model: Frontier Six Shooter, Bisley Model
Serial Number: 205824
Year of Manufacture: 1901 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .44 W.C.F. (.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 “108”. The frame is marked “205824”, found again on the trigger guard. The back strap is marked “205 / 824”. The inside of the left panel has “ALGOLVIN / MAR 1957” and “H.D.W” hand-carved. There is something scribed on the inside of the right panel, but we can’t make it out.
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 left panel has moderate handling wear with much of the checkering worn smooth and scattered nicks, scratches, and scraping. The right panel has more well defined checkering and better detail in the rampant colt. The right panel has broken into two or three pieces, with adhesive repairs on the interior. Overall, the grips are in about Fair-Good condition as repaired.
Type of Finish: Nickel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 15% of its metal finish. The strongest remaining finish is under the grips on the grip frame, at the top of the backstrap around the hammer and on the top and bottom of the ejector housing. There is some other scattered remaining nickel finish, but most other surfaces have gone to a dark patina. There is some scattered oxidation and erosion. There are some nicks, scuffs and scratches. The head of the cylinder pin is tool marked. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder has a removable bushing, but the bushing is seized in place. The cylinder locks up with moderate play side-to-side and 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: None.
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 its age, but retains decent mechanics and matching serialized parts, except for its grips. It even has some of its original nickel finish remaining. This will make a nice addition to a Colt or American West collection. Please see our photos and good luck!