Lot 3114

London Shipped Colt Bisley Flattop Target Single Action Army

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London Shipped Colt Bisley Flattop Target Single Action Army

Estimate: $3,500 - $5,500

Starting Bid: $3,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

London Agency Shipped Antique Colt Bisley Flattop Target Model Single Action Army Revolver in .455 Eley with Scarce Solid Fixed Front Sight, Morris Patent Sub-Caliber Conversion Barrel Insert, Case, and Factory Letter The included factory letter states this revolver was shipped on July 21, 1898, to Colt's London Agency in London, England, in .455 caliber with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and wood grips as part of 30 guns of the same type in the shipment. Colt Bisley Flattop Target revolvers are considered scarce, with only 976 in total manufactured, and this is one of only 196 Colt Bisley Flattop Target revolvers recorded in factory ledgers as chambered for the .455 Eley cartridge per "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson. The solid fixed front sight on this example is a rare variant only known on a small handful of these .455 chambered Bisley Flattop Target Models and differs from most other examples witnessed that have a blade front sight secured with a pin. In 1897 the NRA rules were changed to emphasize military shooting, in which they canceled the "Any Revolver" class and instead required front sights to be "fixed" as seen on this example. The .455 Eley chambered Bisley Flattop Target Models were popular with competitive British target shooters on the Bisley Range in England, from which the model gets its name. These were the premium Colt target revolvers of the day. The revolver has the distinctive Bisley Model features which include the higher frame, humpback grip area, curved hammer with wide knurled spur, and wide trigger. It has the raised one-piece solid fixed blade target front sight and dovetail mounted "V" notch rear sight. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the one-line Colt Hartford address, and "(BISLEY MODEL) 455 ELEY." is on the left. London proof marks on the barrel and cylinder. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the two-line patent date markings followed by the circled Rampant Colt trademark. Matching visible full serial numbers are marked on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with matching "641" on the rear of the cylinder, assembly number "2" on the loading gate, and unnumbered replacement grips. "126/132" stamped on the right of the frame. Includes a Morris patent sub-caliber conversion barrel insert for use with .297/230 Morris cartridges (chamber inserts not included); referred to in period advertisements as an "aiming tube." Also includes a mahogany case with a blank circular brass plaque on top of the lid and a green felt lined fitted interior with cartridge block, cleaning brush, extractor tool, an extra mainspring, and an oiler.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

BBL: 7 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 455 Eley

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial Number178641

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: James F. Hallam; The Charles Marx Collection
  • Condition: Fine overall, retains 60% period refinished blue finish, with smooth brown and gray patina on the balance, some light pitting, a repaired section in the right grip, and defined barrel markings. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine as period refinished on the exterior with one loose interior insert and general age related wear.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000