The included factory letters list this revolver in .38/40 with a 4 3/4 inch barrel, nickel finish, pearl grips, and factory engraving and indicate it was the sole gun of this type in a shipment to Roberts, Sanford & Taylor Company in Sherman, Texas, on June 13, 1899. Matching serial numbers are visible on the frame, trigger guard, and butt. In his “Colt Engraving Book, Vol. I,” Colt historian R.L. Wilson clearly points out the extreme difficulty in finding a factory engraved Bisley. Wilson wrote, “Not more than sixty Bisley Model revolvers are listed in Colt records as engraved” (page 451). With so few available, there are not enough factory engraved Bisleys to satisfy collector demand, and even many of the most advanced Colt collections are missing an example like this one which also features rare and desirable pearl grips and is documented as shipped to Texas at the tail end of the 19th century. Sherman is located near the border with the Oklahoma Territory, then a rather lawless region only recently opened up for settlers. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Very good with the vast majority of the period re-plated finish remaining, mostly distinct engraving, some faint pitting, and general mild overall wear. The grips are also very good with some loss on the top of the left panel, small flakes at the edges, and age and handling related wear. Mechanically fine.