The case lid and the back strap of the revolver have "H.R.H. PRINCE ARTHUR OF CONNAUGHT/7TH HUSSARS." ("H.H.H." in error on the back strap). As laid out in the included letter from the National Army Museum as well as other sources, Prince Arthur Frederick Patrick Albert of Connaught (1883-1938), son of the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn and grandson of Queen Victoria, served in the 7th (Queen's Own) Hussars as a second lieutenant beginning on May 8, 1901, and became a lieutenant on January 14, 1903. In 1907, he became a captain in the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys). During his military service, he fought in the Second Boer War, and he and the 7th Hussars remained as a peace keeping force at the conclusion of the war. Under his cousin King George V, he remained influential as one of the elder members of the royal family. During WWI, he was aide-de-camp to General John French and General Douglas Haig of the British Expeditionary Force and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1919. He also served as aide-de-camp to the king and was given the honorary title of major-general in October 1920. He also acted as the honorary colonel-in-chief of the Royal Scots Greys in 1920. He was promoted to full colonel in the reserves in 1922. From 1920 to 1924, he also served as governor-general and commander-in-chief in South Africa. The revolver was manufactured in 1900 just before he joined the 7th Hussars and has the standard markings and features for an U.K. shipped Colt New Service aside from the inscription noted above. The revolver was possibly retailed by one of the London retailers such as William Evans, Gun & Rifle Makers, 63 Pall Mall. HRH Prince Arthur of Connaught was one of William Evan’s most distinguished clients. The case and gun were most likely inscribed by them, at that time. The error on the gun was most likely made by the retailer’s engraver. The factory letter confirms the configuration (grips not listed but are standard) and that it was shipped to Colt's London Agency at 14 Pall Mall in London on March 22, 1900, as part of a shipment of 120 guns of this type. The oak case is leather bound and has navy blue interior lining, a cleaning rod and brush, and compartments for other accessories.

Excellent with 98% plus bright original blue finish, nearly all of the vibrant original case colors, slight handling and storage marks, faint cylinder drag lines, and period non-factory added crisp inscription which is cut through the finish. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine overall with some minor storage wear concentrated at the corners. This is a very attractive Colt New Service revolver in its own right that appears to have been scarcely handled let alone fired and is made all the more desirable by its inscription for Prince Arthur.