The included factory letter lists this revolver in the current configuration (grips not listed) when part of a shipment of 20 guns of this type sent to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. of Chicago, Illinois, on July 9, 1889. The revolver has a rounded blade front sight, "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" on the left side of the barrel, the two-line address on top, the "black powder" style frame with the three-line patent marking on the left, "44 CAL" on the left side of the trigger guard, Rampant Colt and U.S. seal pattern grips, and matching serial numbers on the frame and grip straps. Includes a "19/30" and "34/06" marked cartridge belt with nineteen cartridges (one blank and one looks like a round ball cartridge) and a leather flap holster with a tooled floral bloom on the flap and toe. The collection tag from the John Fox collection states "John Wegner/Big Hole/General." The documentation, including a letter from his great grandson, identify the revolver as owned by John Wegner. He was an immigrant from Switzerland who was a butcher in Helena, Montana. They then moved to a homestead in Big Hole in 1886 before moving to Anaconda in 1912 and establishing meat markets in Anaconda and Butte and also a slaughter yard at the latter. He died in 1931. Additional documentation details his cattle brands and other information about his life, including that he was born in 1856 or 1857. He also owned the Colt derringer in the next lot.

Fine with 20% original blue finish remaining and concentrated in the sheltered areas, patches of vibrant original case colors on the frame in the protected areas of the frame and 40% original case colors on the hammer, distinct markings, and general mild wear consistent with wear from a holster and use. Mechanically fine. The holster and belt are fine and have moderate wear including some loose stitching for some of the cartridge loops. Overall a very attractive antique Frontier Six Shooter with the desirable early "black powder frame" and rather high condition for a genuinely used 19th century Colt Single Action Army. Provenance: The John Fox Collection.