Factory Engraved Colt Bisley Model SAA

One of the finest factory engraved Colt Bisley Model revolvers in extant. It is certainly the finest example we have cataloged in our over 30 years in the business. The Colt SAA is arguably the most iconic handgun of Americana. In the hands of ranchers, cavalrymen, Native Americans, lawmen and outlaws, the Peacemaker’s legacy was forged out in the hostile American West. Its association with the Wild West has made it one of the most collectible American handguns. The limited factory engraved guns and other rare variations are especially sought after. It has been estimated that 4,500 of the total First Generation production were engraved. But the factory engraved Bisley Model is especially rare. Factory engraved Colt Bisley Model Revolvers are a true rarity in Colt collecting. In his “Colt Engraving Book, Vol. I,” Colt historian R.L. Wilson clearly points out the extreme difficulty in finding a factory engraved Bisley. Wilson wrote, “Not more than sixty Bisley Model revolvers are listed in Colt records as engraved” (page 451). With only 60 officially recorded as factory engraved, there are not enough to satisfy collector demand, leaving examples out of even the most advanced collections. Here is a real opportunity to fill that void in your collection, especially with a benchmark example! Not only does this Bisley have a factory engraving, it also has stunning factory relief monogram carved pearl grips, which add to its desirability among collectors. The factory records for no. 314626 are a bit confusing as the shipping record is incomplete and to obtain the full story the collector must view the Colt factory work order ledger. The incompleteness of the factory records is pointed out by R.L. Wilson in “The Colt Engraving Book, Volume 1” where this Bisley is pictured and identified on pages 480-481. Wilson noted, “[N]umber 314626 Bisley is listed as .45, 4 ¾-inch barrel, blue (and therefore case-hardened), with F.G.F. carved pearl grips; shipped to Hibbard, Spencer Bartlett & Co., c/o J.L. Kleiman, Chicago, in September 1910. Although the factory shipping ledger did [not] note engraving, the company Work Order Ledger records from the period c. 1890 to 1914 note: Order #4978, 314626, Bisley Model Revolver, ordered August 19, 1910, 4 ¾” barrel, .45 Colt caliber, blue finish, engraved, pearl grips carved monogram FGF, complete 9/19, 1910. The fact that occasionally clerks failed to put in all the required date in shipping ledgers is distinctly proven with Bisley 314626.” This is certainly not the first time we have discovered incomplete Colt factory records. A photograph of the aforementioned Colt work order ledger related to this Bisley is included. Without a doubt no. 314626 is factory engraved and wearing factory relief carved pearl grips. The revolver is also featured in Wilson’s “Colt Engraving” on page 299. Wilson reiterated his conclusion in his accompanying letter to Albert Brichaux, operator of the firearms business Arsmear II who specialized in acquiring engraved Colts for collectors. Wilson also linked the gun to another Bisley in the same configuration, no. 314626. “May I say that the lack of reference to engraving in the factory ledgers, specific to this revolver, is one of those clerical oversights which occasionally happened. Number 314626 is obviously totally factory original, in every respect (and in remarkable condition), is related to number 313622 Bisley (made as a mate earlier the same year as 314626), and indeed was embellished by Cuno A. Helfricht himself.” The shipping record for no. 313622 is included in the 1978 dated factory letter addressed to Brichaux that also includes no. 314626. As noted by Wilson, each revolver has a 4 ¾ inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, and pearl “FGF” carved pearl stocks with no. 313622 listed in the shipping records as engraved. Both revolvers were shipped to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., c/o J.L. Kleiman, Chicago, Illinois. No. 313622 shipped on March 30, 1910. No. 314626 shipped on September 26, 1910. Nos. 314626 and 313622 would have made for a spectacular pair of Bisleys! (Consignor included several period paper items related to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co.) In the letter to Brichaux, Wilson perfectly summarized the condition of no. 314626: “I have examined thoroughly Colt Bisley Model Revolver, number 314626, and consider this one of the finest specimens of that model known to collectors…Congratulations on owning this exceptional and rare, and artistically important, Colt Single Action Bisley revolver.” Wilson attributed the engraving and carving to Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht. Helfricht spent his nearly 50 year career exclusively with the Colt firm (1871-1921). During his tenure with Colt, Helfricht saw the transition from percussion to cartridge firearms and a rapidly growing market for engraved firearms. At the height of the firearm engraving fad, Helfricht oversaw a shop of six engravers. By the turn of the century, experts believe that Helfricht did most of the work himself with the help from one to two assistants. Helfricht's successor's included famed Colt engravers Wilbur Glahn and William Gough. The Cuno A. Helfricht pattern engraving consists mostly of his signature floral scrollwork on punch dot background along with fan motifs on the loading gate and recoil shield and zig-zag line and dot motifs featured most prominently on the ejector rod housing, top strap, rear of cylinder, back strap, butt, and trigger guard. The top of the barrel is stamped with the two-line Colt Hartford address legend. The left side of the barrel has the “(BISLEY MODEL) 45 COLT” marking inside a scalloped banner. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking inside a banner followed by an encircled Rampant Colt logo. As confirmed in the factory records, the revolver wears a set of pearl grips featuring relief carved “FGF” monogram on the right panel. Matching serial numbers are located on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The trigger guard serial number is inside a banner. The matching assembly number appears on the loading gate and rear of the frame.

Condition: Excellent, retaining 97% plus bright original high polish blue finish showing some thinning to brown mostly on the grip straps and mild muzzle wear. The hammer and frame retain 98% vivid original case colors. The grips are also excellent with highly attractive fiery colors and crisp factory cut monogram. Mechanically excellent. This is a great opportunity to acquire one of the few original factory engraved Colt Bisley Model Revolvers, especially as it is one of the finest known! Missing from even the most advanced collections, this stunning factory engraved Bisley Model Revolver will be a crown jewel to any Colt SAA or high art collection.