Colt Bisley
Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company · Revolver · Discontinued · 1894
Also known as: Colt Bisley Model, Bisley Model 1894, Colt SAA Bisley
Overview
The Colt Bisley is a single-action revolver introduced in 1894 as a target-oriented variant of the Colt Single Action Army. Named after the Bisley shooting range in England where the British National Rifle Association held its matches, it featured a redesigned grip that swept inward and under the hand, a lowered and widened hammer spur, and an enlarged trigger guard with a wide, curved trigger to suit deliberate target shooting. Built on a deeper SAA frame, it was offered in many calibers and saw use both on the competition range and as a working sidearm in the American West.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1080 g (38.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 318 mm (12.52") |
| Barrel Length | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Height | 135 mm (5.31") |
| Width | 40 mm (1.57") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 265 m/s (869 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 569 J (420 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Left Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued Case Hardened |
Calibers
- .45 Colt · primary — also known as .45 Long Colt, .45 LC, 11.43x33mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Loading Gate
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Fixed Cylinder, Loading Gate, Ejector Rod, Swept Under Grip, Lowered Wide Hammer Spur, Enlarged Trigger Guard, Wide Curved Trigger
Variants
- Colt Bisley Flat-Top Target — Target
Base model
Service history
Operators
- British target shooters · adopted 1894
- American frontier civilians
Production
Estimated total produced: 45,326 · Production years: 1894-1915
Serial numbers spanning approximately 156300 to 331916; commonly cited totals range from about 44,350 to 45,326, of which roughly 976 were Flat-Top Target models.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: William Mason
Discontinued: 1915
Notes
Built on the Single Action Army frame; chambered in roughly 18 calibers including .32-20, .38-40, .44-40, .41 Long Colt, .45 Colt and the British .450/.455 Eley. A small number (about 976) were made as Flat-Top Target Bisleys with adjustable sights. Production ended around 1912-1915.
Background
The Bisley was Colt's answer to the booming sport of formal target pistol competition in late-Victorian Britain, taking its name from the famous Bisley ranges. Though designed for the precision shooter's grip, its rugged SAA underpinnings made it a popular and durable revolver among ranchers and gunfighters in the American West.