Colt Bisley Model 1st Generation .44-40 Factory Engraved Revolver — 5.5 in, Pre-WWI, Matching Numbers
This factory-engraved Colt Bisley Model revolver is a 1st Generation, full-size single-action chambered in .44-40 Win. Produced in 1906, it carries approximately 70–80 percent scroll engraving applied at the Hartford factory—a rarity among Bisley revolvers. Matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap confirm its originality, making it an appealing piece for Colt collectors.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair – Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: This revolver exhibits heavy finish loss, scattered scratches, and noticeable handling marks. The factory scroll engraving remains visible, though thinning is evident in high-contact areas.
What’s Included
- Colt Bisley Model 1st Generation Factory Engraved revolver
The Bisley’s factory scroll engraving covers the barrel, ejector-rod housing, frame, cylinder, back strap, trigger-guard bows, and hammer top, lending visual appeal and confirming its status as a genuine factory-worked specimen.
Chambered in .44-40 Win., the revolver pairs naturally with period Winchester lever-action rifles, reflecting the practical versatility valued by early 20th-century shooters.
The 5.5-inch carbon-steel barrel, fixed sights, and distinctive Bisley hump-back grip frame with low, wide hammer spur were designed for steady target work and comfortable handling.
All three major components carry matching serial number 282605, and production falls within the 1906 shipping year, situating this revolver firmly in Colt’s pre-WWI era of craftsmanship.