Editing Colt Single Action Army (section)

===The Bisley Model===
[[File:Colt Bisley 38-40.JPG|thumb|Colt Bisley Model .38-40 WCF, shipped 1904 to [[Copper Queen Mine|Copper Queen Cons. Mining Co]] in [[Bisbee, Arizona]]]]
The Colt Bisley (1894–1912) was introduced in 1894 as an accurate target pistol. The name Bisley came from the [[National Shooting Centre|famous firing range]] in [[Bisley, Surrey|Bisley]], England.<ref name="Flayderman2001" /> The Colt Bisley can be distinguished by the longer grip, the wider hammer spur, and the wider trigger.<ref name="Flayderman2001" /> The distinguishing feature of the Bisley Target Model is the topstrap, which is flat and fitted with a sliding rear sight, adjustable for windage only.<ref name="Flayderman2001" /> The front sight is a removable blade, which fits into the slotted base attached to the barrel. The revolvers were supplied with different blades for elevation.<ref name="Flayderman2001" />

The Bisley mainspring is longer than the SAA mainspring, and the two are not interchangeable; it is attached to the hammer with a stirrup via a forked upper end. The serial numbers are stamped on the frame, the backstrap and the trigger-guard at the end of production, with tiny dies.<ref name="Wilson1">Wilson (1979) p. 100</ref>

Bisleys were serial-numbered in the range of 156300–331916, in the same sequence as the Single Action Army.<ref name="Flayderman2001" /> All Bisleys after No. 161,376 had "BISLEY MODEL" with the caliber stamped on the left side of the barrel, which is rare for older Colt revolvers.<ref name="Flayderman2001" /> The most common were in the American calibers of .32-20, .38-40, .45 Colt, .44-40, .41 Long Colt, and also in the British calibers of .450 Eley and .455 Eley.<ref name="Flayderman2001" /> A total number of 44,350 were manufactured. Production of the Bisley was terminated in 1912, but serial No. 331916 was shipped after the First World War.<ref name="Flayderman2001">Flayderman (2001) p. 101</ref> Most Bisley Standard Model Revolvers shipped to a United States address were not used for target shooting, but for self-defense, because the grip and hammer were ideal for fast shooting.<ref name="Adler">Adler (2008) pp. 218–219</ref><ref name="Flayderman2001" />

Surveys of existing Bisley show that a much larger number of {{cvt|4+3/4|in|cm}} Bisleys, perhaps as high as 62%, have survived as compared to the {{frac|5|1|2}}" and {{frac|7|1|2}}" barreled guns. Considering the majority of Bisleys were made in .32/20 and .38/40, some 60%, it appears that the market for SAAs was changing. In the late 1890s, with increasing urbanization in the [[Western United States]], suggests the possibility that many of these pistols were used as companion pieces to lever-action rifles of the same period. The unique features of the Bisley with their low-slung hammer, less humped backstrap, and shorter barrel may have suited the city-dwelling suit-coat-wearing clientele who still found themselves outdoors, not only on horses but in buggies and automobiles. The need for man-stopping bullets was decreasing in urbanized environments, although in semi-urban areas, a pistol like the Bisley would be suitable for discouraging both four-legged and two-legged "varmints" while also suitable for collecting supper along the road. The Bisley may mark a movement to a more civilized West.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}