Hi All-a friend has inherited what appears to be a Colt Bisley that is quite old. It's serial number is 2021XX, and it has a 5 1/16 barrel. It is blue, appears to have no pitting, and retains it's original blu, with the aception of some holster wear at the muzzle. He has promised some pics of the revolver, as well as a rolling block 45-70 that his Dad also left him. In the interim, any clues as to what we are looking at would help. The revolver has some half moon clips with it as well. Thanks, Flapjack.

According to my Colt book the Bisley was made in 1900. The barrel lenght was 4 3/4, 5 1/2 & 7 12 inches. You friends may have been cut.

The gun was made and shipped in 1900. If he sells it it is C&R eligible (As is all SAA's, I believe). Otherwise an FFL is required to sell in interstate sales.

I fail to see how you could use half moon clips with a SAA. What is the Caliber? The barrel is probably 5½", he may not be measuring to the face of the cylinder. If it is a big cal like 44 or 45 some folks feel the balance of the 5½ is about perfect.

Here is a link to a lot of detail about old gen I Colt SAA's
Subtle changes in the Colt Single Action Army, a photo essay

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Luke 22:36

I measured the barrel from the cylinder face, and I loaded a half moon clip of 45 ACP in it, and I wondered at the time if it might have been modified. Of course, it will most likely still fire 45 Colt ammo (?) It is in very nice shape, and has an incredible lock up.

What is the caliber marking? It may be on the triggerguard. Compare the front sight to the link I posted, probably the barrel was cut. Possibly the cylinder has major modifications.

If it chambers .45acp with half moon clips, then I doubt .45 Colt will still work. BTW, .45 Colt is .454/.455 diameter and .45acp is .451/.452, .45 auto rim will work.

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Luke 22:36

How do you get a half moon clip through the loading gate? I'm confused. Do you have to completely remove the cylinder to load it?

I'm kinda wondering that myself.

I'm betting it's a 1917. If a half-moon clip can be loaded, it isn't a Bisley.

This is a Bisley;


This is a 1917;


If it is a 1917, then with that serial number it was shipped 1919.

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Luke 22:36

If it's chambered in .45 LC, then I think it's a Colt New Service Model 1909. The curve of the grip and backstrap bear a resemblance to the Bisley. Here's a photo of a 1909 (I believe from an auction several years ago).

Attached Images

ColtNewService1909.jpg (102.9 KB, 26 views)

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I'm with the banned ...

If it uses moon clips, then I believe there is more gap between the cylinder and the recoil shield. You can use .45 auto rim, but .45LC would have to headspace on the case mouth and not the rim and would be unsafe to shoot with the (older) semi balloon cases. If the chambers are long (for .45 Colt), then accuracy would be poor with .45acp.

Every gun I have ever seen that shoots both .45acp and .45 Colt has two cylinders.

There would be no need for moon clips in a SAA because you can shuck the cases out with the eject rod.

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Luke 22:36

..maybe a 45 Bisley bbl fitted to a New Service (1917).
The threads are the same, shank lengths are different and fitting is needed to do either switch.
But it wasn't uncommon to use one on the other as a replacement. Some room for the ejector rod head is needed sometimes.
The bbl address and the ejector rod stud seat kind of gives it away though...
Installed on a 1917, the bbl would boldly read 'Colt Single Action Bisley Model' on the left hand side.

A 45acp/AR replacement cylinder for a 45LC Bisley is another possibility. Though why use the clips as they require the cylinder to be removed each loading/unloading. IIRC they do fit however.

No mention of case colors in the OP,,just bluing. The Bisley would have a C/C frame, gate and hammer. Most have gone to silver or gray by now .

What Mc5aw posted is closer to what I saw. Sorry guys, I didn't have much time with the gun, and my buddy has no info at all. I saw the grip frame and hammer, and that's where my thoughts went. I hope to have more time/some pics soon, but having said that-You Guys are Badd!!! It only took a few posts, and NO PICS!!! And you still ferreted it out! With that serial #, what is the DOB, etc on the gun? Thanks, Flapjack.

I said in my post(pics) it was shipped in 1919.

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Luke 22:36

I see it, thanks.