When introduced in 1877, the .44-40 W.C.F. Single Action Army, or Frontier Six Shooter, was intended to be used in conjunction with another legendary western icon, the Winchester Model 1873 rifle, which came standard in the same chambering. "The .44-40 W.C.F. was added to the list of Colt calibers for use with the popular Winchester rifle of the same caliber," wrote Colt author David Brown. "This combination of a rifle and a six shooter using the same cartridge made it possible for their user to buy only one kind of ammunition, and he could carry 'fodder' for both guns in the same cartridge belt." Manufactured in 1883, this example has the standard one-line address on top of the barrel and "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" in an etched panel on the left. The left side of the frame is marked with the three-line patent dates. Matching serial numbers are visible on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with the partial matching number is marked on the cylinder and barrel under the ejector rod housing. The barrel is also marked "44" on the bottom, and the revolver is fitted with a smooth one-piece walnut grip. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration as well as shipment to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., a large retailer/distributer in Chicago, Illinois, which sent many firearms farther into the American West. Included with the revolver is an attractive leather western holster rig. There are no maker's marks on the holster or cartridge belt, but they are of very high saddle-shop quality and share many similarities with examples made by W.B. Ten Eyck out of Billings, Montana, the most prominent being the single broad riveted loop, as well as the deeply tooled borders. A similar example by Ten Eyck is pictured on p. 110 of "Packing Iron: Gunleather of the Frontier West" by Rattenbury. The belt has cartridge loops that appear to accommodate .44-40 cartridges, riveted billets, and a California style buckle. The holster is made to accommodate a Single Action Army with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, just like the one in this lot, and is open at the top as well as the toe.

Fine, retains 20% of the original blue finish in sheltered areas and crisp patterns of the original case colors with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina, a few scattered patches of light surface pitting, and a well-defined acid etched panel. The grip is also fine with some scattered minor dings, mild wear on the lower edges, a hairline crack in the lower left, and retaining most of the varnish. Mechanically fine. The holster and cartridge belt are very fine showing some mild wear with the rivets and most of the stitching remaining tight. An excellent representative grouping of a late 19th century Single Action Army along with the exact sort of rig it would have been carried in!