The accompanying photographed letter of provenance (January 1988) from noted firearms dealer and expert Herb Glass, Sr. identifies this revolver as one of four Colt factory tool room samples built for the purpose of developing ejector rod shrouds to compete with designs by Smith & Wesson, as recommended by Glass, a consultant to Colt for 22 years. All four revolvers were once part of Colt President Fred Roff's personal collection. Glass purchased the revolvers from Roff's widow, sold the guns to Richard Mellon and repurchased the guns in 1987. How this revolver, which lacks an ejector rod shroud, played a role in testing remains unknown. Perhaps the experimentation focused on its frame. Although the barrel has Detectives Special markings, the revolver has a "D" sized alloy frame; production Detective Specials had a steel "D" sized frame. The left side plate has a Rampant Colt, and the left side of the trigger guard has the Colt triangle proof and the number "4". Although a factory letter is included, it is for one of the other two LW serialized lightweight tool room revolvers mentioned by Glass, which was shipped with another gun to Colt's Research & Development Engineering Department on March 16, 1956.

Excellent. The revolver retains 98% original blue finish with some minor scratches and scuffs. The grips are also excellent with a few minor pressure dents and scratches. Mechanically excellent.