While the Bisley, particularly the flat top target version, was originally designed to be a target revolver, these standard Bisley models also found their way to the West as sidearms, the Southwest in particular, where a pearl handled Bisley became the sidearm of Pancho Villa. As a Texas shipped example, this Bisley has all the look and feel of a frontier issued weapon. The included factory letter states the revolver was shipped to H.S. Bettes Hardware Co. of Paris, Texas, on October 7, 1904 with a 5 1/2 inch barrel in .38-40 caliber, blue finish, and type of stocks not listed. This was a two gun shipment. The revolver has standard Colt markings including matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.

Very good, displaying authentic frontier issued character with traces of original blue finish in the protected areas especially on the barrel under the ejector rod housing. The well worn grips show similar "working gun" appearance from spending a lifetime in the hand. Mechanically excellent. A Texas shipped Colt Bisley Model revolver with true Texas character.