December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
1904 vintage Colt Bisley single action revolver, serial number 259963. 4 - 3/4" barrel chambered in .38 WCF (.38-40 WCF) with blade front sight, 2 line barrel address, and frame notch rear. 2 piece checkered gutta percha Colt grips featuring a Rampant Colt in an oval on either side. Complete with factory letter confirming configuration as well as shipment to J.F. Schmelzer & Sons Arms Company in Kansas City, Missouri for the Kansas City Police Department October 31, 1904. In addition to the factory letter, there is an article dated June 15, 1921 from the Rifleman's Magazine about the Kansas City Police Department carrying .38-40s rather than .45 Colts, 2 letters of correspondence from Hugh Chase (Kansas City Police Librarian and Historian), a letter from Katherine Goldsmith (historian, Missouri Valley Room, Kansas City Public Library), a copy of Charles J. Schmelzer's obituary, an article about Chief John Hayes (Captain of Kansas City Police from 1899-1906), photos of the Bisley presented to Captain Hayes, and a photo of a former Chief of Police from the period. CONDITION: Very good, with a slight majority of the original bluing remaining mixing with a gray patina. Frame retains bright remnants of original case color in protected areas. Grips are well worn with checkering flat but no major signs of distress. Action is tight and crisp. Bore is lightly frosted with sharp rifling. An attractive Bisley with a historic Western shipping destination during the Wild West era.
Caliber/Bore
.38-40 W.C.F.
Paperwork
Folder of documents