The included factory letter confirms the caliber and blue finish with the barrel length not listed and hard rubber stocks at time of shipment. The revolver was shipped to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. of Chicago, Illinois, on August 1, 1889 as part of a 50 gun shipment. The barrel has the one line Hartford address with "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" on the left side. The left side of the trigger guard is stamped "44 CAL.". The serial number is stamped on the toe of the butt and the partial serial number "463" is stamped on the rear of the cylinder. The loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "36." All blue finish with niter blue trigger and hammer. The revolver is fitted with a set of smooth ivory grips. A lanyard swivel is positioned on the butt. According to Colt expert and author Don Wilkerson, Colt manufactured 2,928 blue finished Model 1878 Frontier Six Shooter revolvers with a 4 3/4 inch barrel.

Very fine. The revolver retains 80% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. There is limited light pitting on the cylinder. The hammer and trigger retain 70% original niter blue finish. The grips are excellent with a few hairline age cracks and some minor handling marks. The ivory has a very attractive color and grain pattern. Mechanically functions fine but cylinder does not always lock after action is cycled.