Original Old Colt Bisley
Man! I wish I had pics on my pc so I could post them for your evaluation.
Although I have a couple modern Ruger S/A revolvers I don't know much about single act wheel guns.
A buddy from work, Chris, of whom I've known for 29 years is not a gun guy.
His father recently passed away and left him 3 guns. All I have seen of these guns is a quick look at a cell ph. pic. All three have been in his family since before Chris was born and Chris is 54 years old.
One of the guns is a Colt metallic cartrige single action revolver which appears to have little if any of the original finish remaining.
I went to GunBroker to look at pics in an attempt to better ID the gun. It looks like a Bisley with old black grips. I didn't notice if there was a Colt on the grips but there was a
Colt logo stamped, rolled, whatever on the frame immediatly front of the left grip. Other Colts I've seen have the Colt logo stamped on the frame but farther to the front of the frame.
Based on that vaguery can anyone tell me anything about this gun? Is it black powder?
Assuming it runs and brass and loading data is available is it worth $300.
Where can get info and pics on metallic cartrige old Colt guns?
The other 2 guns are, a Walther PPK that Chris originaly thought was a "German Luger". He said his dad took it off a dead German and brought it back from the war. That may be possible but highly unlikely for a black enlisted man.
The 3rd is an M1 carbine that looks to be complete.
When I get pics I will post them but until then I'd be interested in any info or informed spectulation.
Thanks For Your Time.
VonBarkyBuckBuck
Unless the Colt is in terrible shape it's worth a lot more than $300. Gunbroker should have given you some indication of it's worth. Depending on condition and features it's most likely going to be $1000 to $5000+ for a really fine example. IIRC the Bisley spanned the "black powder" frame era into the "smokeless frame" era. It would likely be o.k. to use light smokeless loads with lead bullets depending on the condition of the revolver. Googling Colt Bisley should get you a lot of info and pics.
no finish functional bisley is at least a 1000 dollar gun. caliber, barrel length etc have quite a bit to do with value on these. FYI most common bisley caliber was 32-20. Standard smokeless loads should be fine in these. beware that years ago 32-20 ammo was made and loaded for rifle use only- if you are unsure, don't put any old ammo in the gun.
we need pics of that bad boy!
Bisleys are quite dear.
A four figure gun in any condition and the first digit will vary from a "1" to a "6" depending on provenance and functional condition. The fact that it may have little or no finish left is not terribly important in a vintage Colt's.
First, you have to know if the gun will letter. That will take some time and money. But, it's the only way to get started on assigning a value. Even a good Colt's expert will need to know if it letters to get the ball rolling.
So, contact Colt's with your hundred bucks and get started.
