The factory letter lists this revolver in .44-40 with a 4 3/4 inch barrel, blue finish, and wood stocks when shipped to Manzanares & Company in Las Vegas, Territory of New Mexico, on June 18, 1887, in a shipment of 100 guns of this type. Browne, Manzanares & Co. had stores in Las Vegas and Socorro, New Mexico, in 1887. Francisco Antonio Manzanares (1843-1904) was an influential figure in territorial New Mexico in the late 19th century and was also the founder of the First National Banks in Las Vegas, Santa Fe, and Raton and represented the territory in Congress in March 1884-March 1885. 100 revolvers is a large shipment for what is still a rather small city today, but it was a rather lawless town in the 1870s and 1880s. Historian Ralph Emerson Twitchell wrote, "Without exception, there was no town that harbored a more disreputable gang of desperadoes and outlaws than did Las Vegas." It was also home to twenty-one of Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. The revolver has a blade front sight, the smaller dished ejector rod button, "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" etched on the left side of the barrel, the two-line "COLTS PT. F. A. MFG. Co/HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A." on top of the barrel, the three-line patent marking on the left side of the "black powder" frame, "44 CAL" on the left side of the trigger guard, assembly number "698" on the loading gate, and matching serial numbers visible on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.

Very good with traces of original blue finish and traces of case colors visible in some of the protected areas, the balance mostly silvered out, otherwise mainly mottled gray and brown patina, faint but legible etched panel, light pitting, and general mild overall wear. The grip is also very good and has moderate lower edge wear, handling wear, around half of the original varnish remaining, and some scratches and dents. Mechanically excellent. This is a very attractive Colt Frontier Six Shooter from the American Southwest in the 1880s.