*EXTREMELY RARE CASED SET OF GOLD INSCRIBED COLT BISLEY DELUXE SINGLE ACTION REVOLVERS.

Revised: 10/2/2011

Additional Information: A knowledgeable dealer in Colt firearms has indicated that he believes this period black leather covered double casing is Factory supplied. While Julia’s cannot substantiate this at present, we wanted to share this information with prospective buyers.

Correction: First paragraph, line six, should read “Inlaid in BLOCK lettering, not Black lettering.

*EXTREMELY RARE CASED SET OF GOLD INSCRIBED COLT BISLEY DELUXE SINGLE ACTION REVOLVERS. SN 278384 & 280121. Cal. 44 Russian. Extraordinary set of Bisleys with one revolver a flat top target and the other a standard revolver, both with 7-1/2″ bbls, 1-line block letter addresses and the left side marked “(BISLEY MODEL) 44 RUSSIAN CTG.”. Left sides of frames have 2-line 3-patent dates and rampant Colt in a circle. Both are fitted with deluxe 2-pc diamond and fleur-de-lis carved & checkered walnut grips that are pencil numbered on the inside to their respective revolvers. Both revolvers are factory browned with “NELSON R. JESUP” inlaid in block lettering in gold in the back straps. Both have blued screws and triggers with color case hardened hammers and blued base pins. Back straps are satin rust blued. The flat top target model has a tall German silver target front sight with flat top strap that has a blued, fixed target sight near the rear end. Standard model has a full front sight with grooved top strap. SNs were observed in the usual places on the bottoms of the frames, trigger guards & butt straps with the last three digits of the SNs on rear faces of their respective cylinders. Both have a tiny “44” stamped on bottom of bbls under the base pins. The bbl of the standard model, under ejector rod housing has a partial marking “ELE)L)”. The target model has a partial marking that appears to be a “G.”. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, and The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson, there were a total of 45,326 Bisley revolvers produced in the period 1894-1915 and of that total only 976 were Target Models. Of that small number only about 91 were produced in caliber 44 Russian and of those only 62 were Target Models. Both revolvers are each accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying them individually in caliber 44 Russian with 7-1/2″ bbl, brown finish and checkered walnut stocks, factory engraved “FRANK M.M. STANTON” inlaid in gold on the strap, shipped to John Thomson, New York, NY on July 23, 1906 in a 2-gun shipment. The discrepancy between the name listed in the factory record and what is actually inlaid on the back strap is almost certainly result of clerical error when recording in the shipping record. It appears that the most likely scenario is that the revolvers were finished brown as indicated in the record and the back straps were sent out in the white to the engraver for the gold inlay and the engraver, not knowing that the guns were browned, simply blued them before returning them or possibly returned them to the factory still in the white where they were blued. Regardless, this pair of revolvers are, as of this writing, the only known set of browned Bisleys extant. Also accompanied by hand written letters from renowned Colt historian, author & collector, Ron Graham, a 6-page letter on SN 278384 and a 5-page letter on SN 280121. In both letters Mr. Graham states, unequivocally, that both revolvers are absolutely factory orig in all respects. He states that “Present day research indicates that Frank McMillan Stanton had placed an order for two revolvers – a Bisley Target Model and a Standard Model that were to have browned finishes, checkered walnut stocks, light triggers, gold inlaid Nelson R. Jesup back straps and maybe a leather double casing; there is no known factory record of single actions shipped from Colt’s in a leather case.”. Mr. Graham states that both revolvers have all the correct and proper Colt markings and proofs of 1906 revolvers and that the back straps are not replacements and have not been filed, re-polished or re-finished. Mr. Graham explains that the partial marking on the bottom of the bbl of the Standard Model is the tail end of the roll die marking of “Bisley Model”, partially stamped twice. He assumes that “A Colt’s gunsmith was testing the die—before properly stamping this special order Bisley Model barrel.”. He explains the partial marking on the bottom of the Target Model as the letter “G” in the roll die of “Russian Ctg.” and that “Colt’s gunsmith was adjusting the die in preparation for stamping the barrels’ caliber marking.”. He further states “In fifty plus years, this writer has only seen a similar situation stamped on one other gun; the standard Bisley of this ‘Special order’ assembly. Additionally accompanied by a period black leather covered double casing with purple velvet & satin lining, recessed in the bottom for the individual revolvers, a tiny wood handle turn screw and a bore brush with twisted wire handle. Center of compartment has three brass studs and a small rotating lever where something was apparently secured, which is now missing. Front of case has an external brass lock with carrying handle. Whether this case is factory original or is a distributor supplied case is up for speculation. Regardless it most assuredly is period to these revolvers and has been with them their entire existence. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, both revolvers are all matching including cyls & grips. Both revolvers retain about 98-99% strong orig brown finish on bbls, ejector housings, frames, cyls & trigger guards. Back straps retain virtually all of their fine factory blue finish. Hammers retain bright case colors on sides & rear edges, faded in top edges. Grips are crisp showing only very light diamond point wear and retain most of their strong orig varnish. Triggers & screws retain about all of their orig fire blue. Hammer of the Standard Model is not solid in safety or half cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine on the revolver with brilliant shiny bores. Case shows heavy wear with major losses of black finish and some losses of leather covering. Interior is lightly faded and soiled with wear and impressed outlines from the revolvers. 4-42704 JR60 (150,000-300,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2075	$0.00	Revised: 10/2/2011 Additional Information: A knowledgeable dealer in Colt firearms has indicated that he believes this period black leather covered double casing is Factory supplied. While Julia’s cannot substantiate this at present, we wanted to share this information with prospective buyers. Correction: First paragraph, line six, should read “Inlaid in BLOCK lettering, not Black lettering. EXTREMELY RARE CASED SET OF GOLD INSCRIBED COLT BISLEY DELUXE SINGLE ACTION REVOLVERS. SN 278384 & 280121. Cal. 44 Russian. Extraordinary set of Bisleys with one revolver a flat top target and the other a standard revolver, both with 7-1/2″ bbls, 1-line block letter addresses and the left side marked “(BISLEY MODEL) 44 RUSSIAN CTG.”. Left sides of frames have 2-line 3-patent dates and rampant Colt in a circle. Both are fitted with deluxe 2-pc diamond and fleur-de-lis carved & checkered walnut grips that are pencil numbered on the inside to their respective revolvers. Both revolvers are factory browned with “NELSON R. JESUP” inlaid in block lettering in gold in the back straps. Both have blued screws and triggers with color case hardened hammers and blued base pins. Back straps are satin rust blued. The flat top target model has a tall German silver target front sight with flat top strap that has a blued, fixed target sight near the rear end. Standard model has a full front sight with grooved top strap. SNs were observed in the usual places on the bottoms of the frames, trigger guards & butt straps with the last three digits of the SNs on rear faces of their respective cylinders. Both have a tiny “44” stamped on bottom of bbls under the base pins. The bbl of the standard model, under ejector rod housing has a partial marking “ELE)L)”. The target model has a partial marking that appears to be a “G.”. According to Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Cochran, and The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson, there were a total of 45,326 Bisley revolvers produced in the period 1894-1915 and of that total only 976 were Target Models. Of that small number only about 91 were produced in caliber 44 Russian and of those only 62 were Target Models. Both revolvers are each accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying them individually in caliber 44 Russian with 7-1/2″ bbl, brown finish and checkered walnut stocks, factory engraved “FRANK M.M. STANTON” inlaid in gold on the strap, shipped to John Thomson, New York, NY on July 23, 1906 in a 2-gun shipment. The discrepancy between the name listed in the factory record and what is actually inlaid on the back strap is almost certainly result of clerical error when recording in the shipping record. It appears that the most likely scenario is that the revolvers were finished brown as indicated in the record and the back straps were sent out in the white to the engraver for the gold inlay and the engraver, not knowing that the guns were browned, simply blued them before returning them or possibly returned them to the factory still in the white where they were blued. Regardless, this pair of revolvers are, as of this writing, the only known set of browned Bisleys extant. Also accompanied by hand written letters from renowned Colt historian, author & collector, Ron Graham, a 6-page letter on SN 278384 and a 5-page letter on SN 280121. In both letters Mr. Graham states, unequivocally, that both revolvers are absolutely factory orig in all respects. He states that “Present day research indicates that Frank McMillan Stanton had placed an order for two revolvers – a Bisley Target Model and a Standard Model that were to have browned finishes, checkered walnut stocks, light triggers, gold inlaid Nelson R. Jesup back straps and maybe a leather double casing; there is no known factory record of single actions shipped from Colt’s in a leather case.”. Mr. Graham states that both revolvers have all the correct and proper Colt markings and proofs of 1906 revolvers and that the back straps are not replacements and have not been filed, re-polished or re-finished. Mr. Graham explains that the partial marking on the bottom of the bbl of the Standard Model is the tail end of the roll die marking of “Bisley Model”, partially stamped twice. He assumes that “A Colt’s gunsmith was testing the die—before properly stamping this special order Bisley Model barrel.”. He explains the partial marking on the bottom of the Target Model as the letter “G” in the roll die of “Russian Ctg.” and that “Colt’s gunsmith was adjusting the die in preparation for stamping the barrels’ caliber marking.”. He further states “In fifty plus years, this writer has only seen a similar situation stamped on one other gun; the standard Bisley of this ‘Special order’ assembly. Additionally accompanied by a period black leather covered double casing with purple velvet & satin lining, recessed in the bottom for the individual revolvers, a tiny wood handle turn screw and a bore brush with twisted wire handle. Center of compartment has three brass studs and a small rotating lever where something was apparently secured, which is now missing. Front of case has an external brass lock with carrying handle. Whether this case is factory original or is a distributor supplied case is up for speculation. Regardless it most assuredly is period to these revolvers and has been with them their entire existence. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, both revolvers are all matching including cyls & grips. Both revolvers retain about 98-99% strong orig brown finish on bbls, ejector housings, frames, cyls & trigger guards. Back straps retain virtually all of their fine factory blue finish. Hammers retain bright case colors on sides & rear edges, faded in top edges. Grips are crisp showing only very light diamond point wear and retain most of their strong orig varnish. Triggers & screws retain about all of their orig fire blue. Hammer of the Standard Model is not solid in safety or half cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine on the revolver with brilliant shiny bores. Case shows heavy wear with major losses of black finish and some losses of leather covering. Interior is lightly faded and soiled with wear and impressed outlines from the revolvers. 4-42704 JR60 (150,000-300,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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