This fine Colt Bisley Model Flattop Target revolver was manufactured in 1899. This revolver is one of 78 Bisley Target revolvers chambered for the highly desirable .44-40 cartridge and the left side of the barrel is roll-stamped "(BISLEY MODEL) COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER". The revolver is complete with a Colt factory letter. The letter describes the revolver as "COLT BISLEY FLATTOP MODEL TARGET REVOLVER", caliber ".44/c", with 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish and "Rubber" stocks. The letter states that the revolver was shipped to Montgomery Ward & Company in Chicago on June 3, 1899. The revolver has the distinctive Bisley Model target front sight with nickel-silver blade, flat top strap with drift-adjustable rear sight, curved wide spur hammer, humpback profile grip, larger trigger guard and longer, wider trigger. The two-piece black hard rubber grips are checkered and have the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval at the top. The revolver has a full blue barrel, frame, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The hammer is casehardened. In addition to the markings on the left side of the barrel, the top is roll-stamped "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in a single line. "V 44" is stamped on the underside of the barrel just ahead of the frame. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt "Three-Date/Two-Line" patent markings followed by the circled Rampant Colt trademark. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "1044". The serial number "185435" is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "435" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. Colt manufactured approximately 976 Bisley Flattop Target Model revolvers between 1894 and 1913. All Bisley Flattop Target Model revolvers are very scarce. Less than 10% of the Bisley Flattop revolvers were chambered for the .44 Colt cartridge and had the "FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" markings on the barrel in addition to the Bisley Model designation. This is an extremely scarce revolver.

Fine. The revolver retains 30% of the original blue finish in protected areas; the balance is a silver-gray patina. Metal surfaces are generally smooth with the exception of a small area of shallow pitting on the recoil shield and some very minor pitting on the left side of the barrel at the muzzle. The grips are in very good overall condition; the checkering is rounded from handling and there is a small and very old chip on the lower edge of each grip. The markings on the barrel and frame are sharp. Mechanically excellent. This is a fine, highly desirable 44-40 caliber Colt Bisley Model Single Action Flattop Target revolver.