Belgian 'Frontier Army' Revolver Tried to Emulate Colt-Style Single-Action Army

Question: I have a revolver my dad found in south-eastern Colorado near La Junta, circa 1920. He searched for and collected many pottery shards, bone needles and arrowheads when he was a boy and also found this six-shot, either .44- or .45-caliber revolver, marked “Frontier Army” on top. On the right side, just forward of the cylinder, are an “R” and an “L” along with two or three other symbols. It was in a weather-beaten leather holster, which I also have. The gun and holster appear to have been out in the elements many years before my dad found them. I’m 72 and I will be passing this gun on to one of my sons or grandsons who are all avid hunters. I would like to be able to also pass on any history about the gun, too. This is a single-action revolver. The barrel is not rifled and the bore is offset. 

-B.S. via email

Answer: You have a Belgian-made revolver, the lines of which (and its moniker) are trying to roughly emulate a Colt-style Single Action Army, and to be marketed accordingly. These were inexpensive handguns offered from the last quarter of the 20th century until around the beginning of World War II. Calibers varied. When new, your “Frontier Army” probably sold for around $5. 

-Garry James

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