2020 September Premier, Volume I

BOTH SIDES
PICTURED
LOT 172
Desirable Documented Colt Bisley Flattop Target Model Revolver with Extremely Rare “FOR
.32-44 S&W CTG.” Marking with Factory Letter - Serial no. 195467, 32-44 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1900, this is one of only 976 Bisley Flattop Target revolvers
manufactured by Colt between 1894 and 1913, and one of only 17 Bisley Target Model revolvers reportedly chambered for the 32-44 S&W
cartridge, making this revolver even rarer. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .32-44 caliber, blue finish and
stocks not listed when shipped to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. of Chicago, Illinois, on May 2, 1900. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on
top and “(BISLEY MODEL) FOR 32-44 S & W CTG.” on the left side. The left side of the frame is marked with the two-line, three patent date marking
followed by the circled Rampant Colt. Matching numbers are marked on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The rear face of the cylinder has
the matching last three digits (“467”) of the serial number. The revolver features pinned front blade and dovetailed rear sights, all blue finish with the
exception of the casehardened hammer, and distinctive flattop frame.
CONDITION: Fine. The revolver retains 40% plus bright original high polish blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. There are some scattered
minor-moderate handling/storage marks. The sun faded grips are also fine with some minor handling evidence and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically
excellent. A rare caliber of the Bisley Target model usually absent from even the most advanced Colt collections.
Estimate: 7500 - 11000
BOTH SIDES
PICTURED
Collector’s Fact
According to The 36
Calibers of the Colt Single
Action Army, only 17 Bisley
Target Model revolvers were
produced for the 32-44
S&W cartridge.
172
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE
BOOK THE 36 CALIBERS OF THE COLT
SINGLE ACTION ARMY BY BROWN
LOT 173
Exceptionally Scarce Documented
Battle of Britain First Generation Colt
Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 356273, 45
LC cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. This excellent first generation Colt
Single Action Army Revolver was manufactured in 1938 and is one of 163 Single Action Army revolvers
that were sold to the British Purchasing Commission by Colt along with other revolvers and automatic
pistols in an emergency effort by the British to replace the small arms lost during the Battle of France in
May 1940. These guns were shipped to Winchester and then exported to Great Britain. The barrel has the one-line
Hartford address on top and the model/caliber designation on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line
patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt, and the left side of the trigger guard is marked “4V” above the
Colt triangle proof. A British broad arrow acceptance mark is stamped on the left shoulder of the back strap. “Crown/
GP” proofs are stamped on the cylinder behind each flute.
The underside of the barrel has British nitro proof marks and
import marking. Matching serial numbers are on the frame,
both grip straps and both grip panels. This revolver is listed
by serial number as one of 17 nickel plated Battle of Britain SAAs with a 5 1/2 inch barrel in .45 LC in David
Brown’s “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army” on page 28.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% plus with flaking of the plating visible on both sides of the forward
frame and cylinder, some flaking light scratches, and scattered minor handling marks. The grips are also
excellent with some surface nicks along the high edge, some minor handling marks and crisp checkering
overall. Mechanically excellent. A high condition example of one of the only 163 SAAs shipped to Britain in
preparation for an expected Nazi invasion.
Estimate: 7500 - 10000
Collector’s Fact
Only 17 of the 163
revolvers purchased by
the British Purchasing
commission were in
this configuration.
SERIAL NUMBER
356273