Manufactured in 1898 with fixed blade and notch sights, the two-line address and patent dates on top of the barrel, "COLT D.A. 38" on the left, matching assembly numbers on the frame, crane and cylinder release, and the small circled Rampant Colt on the left side of the frame. Overall finish is a high polish Colt commercial blue with niter blue hammer and trigger and hard rubber grips with floral accented Rampant Colt imprints. With a brown leather heiser holster decorated with tooled floral designs on the front and marked "719" on the rear. The back strap of the revolver is inscribed "Lieut W.J Costigan/Co G. 69th N.Y VOLS." Tracing their lineage to a New York militia regiment established by Irish expatriates, the 69th saw significant action during the Civil War, in the First World War as part of the 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division and in the Pacific during the Second World War. During the Spanish-American War, the 69th was called up for federal service and records show William J. Costigan mustering into the 69th in May of 1898 for a two-year term and serving as Company G's Second Lieutenant through 1899. Records show that Costigan continued on with the 69th and was the Battalion Adjutant in 1905, a Captain by 1914, Colonel of the Regiment circa 1927-1934, and retired at the rank of General. The accompanying factory letter verifies the caliber, 6 inch barrel, blue finish, rubber grips and that it was shipped as 1 of 30 to Hartley and Graham in New York City on May 25, 1898.

Very fine with 75% plus of the original blue finish, showing a brown patina on the grip straps, bright gray along the high edges and the ejector assembly, small patches on the barrel and light handling marks overall. The tension screw is absent from the front strap, but the revolver is in good mechanical order. Grips are fine with a scuff on the right panel just below the Colt and a few light dings. Holster is very good with a few light scuffs, minor verdigris, and some faded hand markings on the belt loop.