Colt Bisley question......

GunHawke

May 16, 2011 11:30

A customer of mine brought in a Colt SAA ser # 332xxx. At first look it simply appears to be a Colt SAA in 38 W.C.F. with a standard SAA grip style and SAA style hammer. BUT...the barrel is stamped with the info Bisley Model 38 W.C.F.. And, I should add that the barrel has the appearance of being re-nickled at some time. I know a Bisley from a SAA. But is there ANY variation from Colt I may not be aware of or is it just most likely that the Bisley barrel was put on a SAA model revolver??

Thanks ahead of time!!
Jim
GunHawk on GunBroker

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  Old-Colts

  May 16, 2011 11:43

  It sounds like a re-barrel to me. I'm personally not aware of any standard frame Single Actions that came from the factory with a "(Bisley Model)" marked barrel, even by mistake, but you never can tell. Look for evidence of a re-barrel, in particular were the ejector rod housing mates to the frame; if there is any irregularity or mismatching, then it is probably a re-barreled gun. If there is an index mark on the top rear of the barrel take notice of how that is positioned as well as the shoulder of the rear of the barrel where it matches the frame.
  
  If the backstrap and trigger guard match perfectly to the rear of the frame; then without serious modifications in that area it sounds like a standard frame gun.
  
  Edit to add: The highest known serial number for a Bisley Model was 331,916 when "A Study" was printed in the 70's. Unless higher numbers have been found since then the Single Action serial number you referenced it too high for Bisley Production; but then again you never can say never when it comes to Colts and Winchesters!

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