Colt Bisley 38 W.C.F.

[AnthonyNorfleet]

What can you guys tell me about this Colt Bisley in 38 W.C.F. (38-40)? It has no SA prefix or Suffix and the serial number is 298xxx

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[jbett98]

I can tell you that I wish I owned it.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Good looking revolver...looks re-finished to my eye.
Not that , that is bad thing , just something to consider.
Andy

 

[deadeye]

What can you guys tell me about this Colt Bisley in 38 W.C.F. (38-40)? It has no SA prefix or Suffix and the serial number is 298xxx

View attachment 1159160 View attachment 1159161

Should be 1907 production.

Single Action Army & Bisley Revolvers (Pre-War)

 

[AnthonyNorfleet]

Good looking revolver...looks re-finished to my eye.
Not that , that is bad thing , just something to consider.
Andy

I was curious about it being re-finished because all the other Colt single action revolvers I've seen have the case hardened finish with this example being blued.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Yep , a case hardened finish on the frame should be there.

Again a re-finish is not always a deal breaker....for me.
Since I don't know the condition of the firearm before the re-finish or the reasons thereof.

Do I like the firearm...Do I understand what I am actually getting and is the price something that I can live with...
Are more important to me.
Andy

 

[AnthonyNorfleet]

All good points.
It was an inherited firearm from my grandfather whom received it from his father. Is it possible to have the original finish restored or to return the gun to it's original condition?

 

[Andy54Hawken]

All good points.
It was an inherited firearm from my grandfather whom received it from his father. Is it possible to have the original finish restored or to return the gun to it's original condition?

Anything is possible.....given enough time and money.

If it were my revolver...I'd leave it as is....Since the re-finish is part of the gun's history.
Enjoy it and shoot it well.
Andy

 

[RVTECH]

Is it possible to have the original finish restored or to return the gun to it's original condition?

While this may have been refinished at one time it might have originally been blued.

Not all Colt SA guns had case hardened frames. Some were nickel plated as well and some were sent 'in the white' to custom finishers due to special orders which might have included engraving and gold and silver plating. A letter from Colt may be in order.

Leave it as is and shoot it!

 

[User 1234]

I would request a letter from Colt. That should tell you the original finish and original shipping destination.

 

[oremike]

Here's a short write up on the Caliber/gun

38 WCF | 38-40 caliber | Rifle, Handgun, and Pistol Brass

 

[AnthonyNorfleet]

I would request a letter from Colt. That should tell you the original finish and original shipping destination.

I'll try to call Colt in the morning. Thanks!

 

[dangerranger60]

If you wanted it refinished, These are the people to do it.

Turnbull Restoration Company, Inc.

Firearm Restoration & Manufacturing. Antique restoration and bluing services. Featuring Colt 1911 and 1886 Winchester manufactured reproductions .

www.turnbullrestoration.com

But I would not . I would enjoy it as Great Grandpa's gun.
I'm not against refinishing guns that are worn or deteriating. But I would not refinish a gun just because it was not the original finish. Each time you buff and refinish you take away some of the metal. And at the end you still have a refinished gun. Thanks for showing it, DR

 

[jbett98]

My luck, I would have spent thousands of dollars to have Turnbull make it look brand new and I would then drop it onto concrete the first time I held it.
I would keep it just the way it is.

 

[Spitpatch]

As a Colt's collector, you are getting VERY good advice here that I cannot find fault with. The gun is beautiful in its current condition, as Grandpa owned it, and you will realize NO benefit by having it "retro-restored" to it's original manufactured condition. The persons here that advised you of Turnbull toward a restoration (AWAY from when grandpa owned it), are very spot-on toward that corporation, but NOT what you want to do.

Such a restoration cost would gain you nothing toward resale, since any collector would know it had been done.

Keep it. Preserve it as Grandpa owned it. Shoot it. (the .38-40 was obsolete and neglected, now somewhat popular amongst Colt's Single Action shooters).

Beautiful gun. You are privileged and among the very few in this nation that have the chance to revere a piece of American history that their ancestors were a part of.

Please save it. If you knew your Grandfather, he would smile at your having done so.