That was the department issue revolver when I started. Old, well used. Donated to us by the WV State Police. The Chief used to tell the story of going down there to pick up eight of them. They opened up a door and there were some metal drums in the room. They took the lids off and let him sift through the barrels of old revolvers and pick the best looking ones.
I remember reading (not saying it's true, but I read it) that the old model Troopers were the same frame/lockwork as the Pythons with a skinny barrel and not nearly as much care/fitting/handwork done in the assembly. Our were 4" barrels with the same grips as on yours.
I was happy when it turned out the speed loaders I'd bought for it also worked with my S&W 586 and then the S&W 686's (new ones, too) the department replaced the Colts with around 1983 or 84.
You've got a piece of history there. Don't think I've seen any at gun shows in a long time.
