Rare Colt Bisley Flattop Target Revolver chambered for the .41 Colt long cartridge. The production table for Colt Single Action revolvers on page 252 of "THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS" by R.L. Wilson indicates that Colt manufactured a total of 24 Bisley Flattop Target revolvers chambered for the 41 Colt cartridge. The revolver is accompanied by a Colt factory letter that describes this revolver as: "COLT BISLEY FLATTOP TARGET REVOLVER, Serial Number: 183833, Caliber: .41 Colt, Barrel Length: 7 1/2", Finish: Blue, Type of Stocks: Not Listed", and "Special Features: Furnished with Lyman front and rear sights". The letter states that this revolver was shipped to Montgomery Ward and Company in Chicago, Illinois on March 18, 1899. The revolver has the Colt commercial blue finish with niter blue trigger and color casehardened hammer. The two piece black checkered hard rubber, grips are embossed with the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval. The revolver has the distinctive Bisley frame with humpback grip and back strap, flat top, softly curved, wide spur hammer and wide long trigger. The barrel has a target block front sight with Lyman Express style blade with white insert.. A target rear sight with serrated top and back and white block inserts is mounted on the frame dovetail. The top of the barrel is roll stamped with the legend: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in a single line. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped with the model designation: "(BISLEY MODEL) 41 COLT." in one line. The underside of the barrel is stamped with a "V" followed by the caliber marking "41". The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt "Two-Line/Three-Date" patent marking followed by the encircled Rampant Colt trademark. The assembly number "5038" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The full serial number, "183833" is visible stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "833" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. "3833" is slightly scratched on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Very fine. The revolver retains 70% plus of the original high polish blue finish. Wear is limited to some finish loss at the muzzle and some scattered age spotting. The blue finish is thin on the top and sides of the frame and worn to a gray patina on the recoil shield, back strap and grip strap. The frame has scattered patches of age discoloration. The cylinder retains most of the blue finish with high point wear and turn marks between the stops. The hammer retains 60% of the case colors. The face of the trigger has a plum patina; the sides retain most of the fire blue finish. The frame, trigger guard and back strap screws are in excellent condition and have most of the fire blue finish intact. The black hard rubber grips have faded to a dark brown patina and the checkered surfaces show light handling wear. The serial numbers and the markings on the barrel and frame are crisp. The action is tight with light trigger pull but the hammer does not hold at half-cock. This is a rare example of a desirable Colt Bisley Model Flattop Target Revolver chambered for the scarce .41 Colt cartridge with special order Lyman Sights!.