Manufactured in 1973. The accompanying factory letter confirms that this revolver with a 3 inch barrel in .38 special, blue finish and checkered walnut grips with nickel Rampant Colt medallions was kept at the factory as a sample and display piece. It was released from the factory in October 2008. The included handwritten factory tag provides additional information: "prototype recoil cap (now std)," "spring loaded firing pin" and "firing pin swing per dwg" and is signed "KM." The barrel has the two-line model/caliber marking on the left side and two-line Hartford address on the right side. The frame lacks a Rampant Colt marking. The back of both grips have the number "454."