The only markings are a "B" on the left side of the trigger guard, "7699" on the loading lever, "8434" on the cylinder pin, "18434" on the trigger guard, and "434" on the butt. It has a blade front sight, notch rear sight with two folding leaves, unusual scooped wedge style, frame adapted for a shoulder stock, hammer stop stud behind the hammer on the top of the back strap, and period replacement burl walnut grip. The chambers are recessed. As laid out in "Gun of the Month" in the February 1973 issue of "The Gun Report" and the included letters, this revolver was "liberated" from the Colt Museum Collection by a Colt executive prior to 1957 and later sold to Arnold Chernoff who later sold it to collector Tom Seymour who in turn sold it to Dr. Willard Noyes around 1978. An included letter from David J. Palmiter to Dr. Noyes states that "There is on file, a picture of Mr. Arthur L. Ulrich with "Colts Old Army Revolvers, altered to cartridge, #15703 and 18434." Ulrich was Colt's secretary and historian and was heavily involved with the factory collection. R.L. Wilson concluded the revolver was the product of the Colt Model Room based on the overall construction but noted the front sight, wedge and wedge screw, and grip are probably not factory. Letters from Wilson, Chernoff, and Dr. Willard L. Noyes concerning the revolver are also included. In Chernoff's letter to Noyes, he states he "can only tell you that it was purchased from one of the high ranking executives of the Colt Firearms Company after the Colt Museum was donated to the Connecticut State Library. It seems that when the news came down to the executives that the collection was literally being given away to the Connecticut [Library], many of them decided to take home mementos and souvenirs from the Museum. It is for this reason that Sutherland in his book states that many of the experimental pieces that he owned were formerly in the Colt Museum. All in all about 150 guns. . .were liberated from the factory."

Very good as factory converted to cartridge with gray and brown patina on most of the steel, 25% silver plating around the trigger guard, and mild scrapes and dings. The grip is also very good and has some chips and mild wear at the edges, nice figure, and general light scratches. Mechanically fine. This is certainly an interesting piece. Provenance: unidentified Colt factory executive, Arnold Chernoff, Tom Seymour, and Dr. Willard Noyes.