Exceptional Colt Bisley Flattop Target Model Single Action Army Revolver in Rare .32 Colt with Factory Letter
An exceptionally scarce and well-documented Colt Bisley Flattop Target Revolver with factory-letter provenance, shipped in 1909 and chambered in the highly desirable .32 Colt caliber. With only 976 Bisley Flattop Target revolvers reportedly manufactured—and only approximately 44 in .32 Colt—this is a standout rarity for advanced Colt collectors.
- Accompanied by a Colt factory letter confirming:
- Sold to F.P. Hall Co.
- Shipped as a single-gun shipment on August 4, 1909
- Destination: Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co. in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Caliber: .32 Colt
- Barrel length: 7 1/2 inches
- Finish: blue
- Type of grips: not listed
- Notable rarity and collector significance:
- Colt Bisley Flattop Target revolvers are considered scarce, with only 976 total reportedly manufactured
- This production figure is cited on page 268 of The Book of Colt Firearms, 1971 publication, by Sutherland and Wilson
- This example is even rarer as one of only approximately 44 Colt Bisley Flattop Target revolvers chambered for the .32 Colt cartridge
- The .32 Colt chambering figure is cited on page 202 of The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army, published in 1965 by David Brown
- Classic Bisley Model features include:
- Higher frame profile
- Distinctive humpback grip and back strap
- Curved hammer with a wide, knurled thumb spur for improved control
- Wide trigger
- Two-piece deluxe checkered walnut humpback grips
- Target-style configuration:
- Flattop frame, a defining feature of the Bisley Flattop Target model
- Beaded blade target front sight for refined aiming
- Dovetail-mounted notch rear sight, fitted into the frame for a secure target-sight setup
- Factory markings and roll-stamped details:
- Top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the one-line Hartford address legend
- Left side of the barrel is marked: “(BISLEY MODEL) 32 COLT.”
- Left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the two-line, three-date patent markings
- Patent markings are followed by the encircled Rampant Colt trademark
- Serial number and assembly details:
- Matching visible full serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap
- Cylinder is unnumbered
- Loading gate is marked with assembly number “20”
- A highly desirable collector-grade Colt combining:
- Factory-letter documentation
- Single-gun shipment provenance
- Scarce Bisley Flattop Target configuration
- Extremely rare .32 Colt chambering
- Classic Colt markings and matching visible serial-numbered components
Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus bright original blue finish, with a cylinder drag line, a few areas of minor thinning, strong patterns of original case colors showing on the hammer, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Grips are very fine, with distinct edges, some spots of minor outer surface flaking, a few minor handling marks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An excellent Colt Bisley Flattop Target Model Single Action Army revolver in rare .32 Colt!
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