This is a truly unique example of a Colt Bisley Model Flattop Target Model Revolver with rare 6-inch barrel chambered for the .44 Russian cartridge. The revolver is accompanied by a Colt factory letter that describes the caliber as .44 S&W, the barrel length as 7 1/2 inches and the finish as blue. The letter states that this revolver was shipped to William Read & Sons in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 13, 1900. The letter states that further records indicate the revolver was returned to the Colt factory on October 23, 1900, and subsequently reshipped with a 6-inch barrel chambered for the .44 Russian cartridge. The revolver was shipped to the Simmons Hardware Co., in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 11, 1905. The left side of the trigger guard bow is stamped with a six-pointed star Colt factory repair mark. The revolver has a high polish commercial full blue finish with color case-hardened hammer, and niter blued trigger, rear sight and frame screws. The two-piece hard rubber grips are checkered and have the Rampant Colt logo in an oval at the top. The revolver has the distinctive Bisley humpback profile grip and flattop target frame. The top strap is fitted with a dove-tail mounted target rear sight and the barrel has a block mounted, adjustable front sight with blued blade. The revolver has the wide, low, Bisley hammer with bordered knurling on the spur and the special Bisley 5/16th wide trigger. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped: "(BISLEY MODEL) 44 RUSSIAN CTG." The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt 'Three-Date/Two-Line' patent markings followed by the encircled Rampant Colt logo. A "3" assembler's mark is stamped on the left side of the front trigger guard bow and an "8" inspection mark is stamped above the star on right side of the rear trigger guard bow. "B" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. The assembly number "185" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The serial number, "195343" is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. All of the visible serial numbers match. Colt manufactured a total of 976 Bisley Flattop Target Model revolvers. The chart on page 252 of "THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS" by R.L. Wilson indicates that 62 Bisley Flattop Target Model revolvers were chambered for the .44 Russian cartridge. Wilson further states that any Bisley Flattop Target Model revolver with a barrel other than the standard 7 1/2-inch barrel is rare.

Excellent. The revolver retains 90% of the original, high polish blue finish. The grip straps have handling wear and have browned. The barrel, frame, cylinder and loading gate retain 95-95% of the original blue finish. All of the markings and serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap are crisp. The grips have browned slightly but are in excellent condition. The special Bisley action functions perfectly. This is an excellent example of a scarce Bisley Flattop Target Model revolver with rare 6-six inch barrel chambered for the .44 Russian cartridge. This, in writers opinion, is the most unique of all Colt Bisley's!