Manufactured in 1889. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a 5 1/2 inch barrel in .44-40 caliber, blue finish and type of stocks not listed when shipped to H.W. Wackerlin & Co. of Fort Benton, Montana, on July 18, 1889. The barrel is stamped with the one-line Hartford address on top and "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" on the left side. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking, and the left side of the trigger guard is marked "44 CAL." The ejector rod has a half moon head. It is more likely that the revolver was actually shipped to H.J. Wackerlin Hardware Company, as H.W. Wakerlin & Co. could not be found. According to the Montana National Register, H.J. Wackerlin Hardware was Montana's largest hardware store in the 1880s. The business was operated by Hans Wackerlin, a tinsmith who arrived in Fort Benton in 1867. He sold the business to fellow Fort Benton entrepreneur T.C. Power in 1895.

Very good. 40% original blue finish remains on the barrel and ejector rod house, traces of original blue remain on the cylinder flutes, strong amounts of original blue remain in the sheltered areas on the grip straps and patterns of original case colors remain on the frame, otherwise a smooth brown-gray patina. There is some scattered light pitting and a series of dings on the butt. The worn replacement grips are fair with a few chips towards the bottom. Action cycles but cylinder does not always lock when the hammer is in the full cock position. A Montana shipped SAA with a condition associated with a true frontier working gun. Provenance: The John Fox Collection.