[retiredgunsmith]

My Officers Model ( last patent date Apr 9, 1901) is also marked COLT D.A. 38. Retains about 80% Original Bright Blue. Shot a fabulous group with .38 spl wad cutters It is a transisitional piece from NewArmy/New Navy to Officers Model.
The action resembles the S&W ealry 'hand ejector' "K" frame so much as to lead one to believe that both were designed by the same team.
Uploaded some photos for all to enjoy.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Nice gun. Here is a massive thread about these early ones. My earlier 1904 gun has the old style frame. Yours has the newer frame but the same grips and barrel, sounds like. I bet yours was made right when they
modernized" the frame in the trigger guard are. The old ones being flat bottomed. You have a very cool gun there.
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/photos-area/52580-officers-models.html

 

[haggis]

The changes to the frame near the trigger guard of the early DA's occurred in late 1906 at about serial number 270xxx. The guns were made into 1908 before the fixed-sight model was replaced by the Army Special.

BTW, these guns were chambered for .38 Special with the appropriate bore diameter.

Buck