Howdy,
I recently purchased a Revolver for $100 whose only markings are Frontier Army on the top strap and the "LG" Belgian proof mark
used prior to 1894 on the cylinder. The seller stated that the caliber was 44-40. The Iron although heavily rusted has almost no
pitting. Other guns I have seen from the period that are this rusted have deep pits which I speculated were due to
impurities. This conjecture may not be correct. The action worked ok in Double action but the hammer could not be cocked
for single action. After some shimming the action works well both single and double action. This action is an interesting piece
of engineering. The entire action consists of only three parts. The hammer and trigger accomplish the entire single and double
action cycle and a third part locks the rebounding hammer from forward motion after the trigger is released. I have never seen such
roughly made parts in an action but it works perfectly. A 44-40 cartridge fits correctly in the chambers but the necked portion
is only a slow taper and the front mouth of the chamber measures .453 in! The Forcing cone is also .453+ and tapers down to a
.430 bore barrel over a distance of about 1 inch! I doubt that this arrangement produces great accuracy. The hammer is shaped
like a Webley and the grip resembles a webley RIC. The frame is solid with a top strap and loads through a loading gate like a
Colt.
Regards
Colt