In 1969 Colt discontinued all the medium framed revolvers except for the Python.
The models discontinued were the:
Official Police.
Original Trooper.
Officer's Model Match.
The new replacements for the old models was the new Mark III transfer bar safety-ignition action built on a new design frame and action.
The new Mark III guns were the:
Trooper Mark III...a .22LR, .22 Magnum and .357 adjustable sight, target hammer and trigger revolver with 4" or 6" barrel.
Lawman... a fixed sight .357 with service hammer and trigger and a 4" or 2" heavy barrel.
The Official Police Mark III... a fixed sight .38 Special with the old style Official Police "skinny" barrel.
The Metropolitan Police...a fixed sight .38 Special with a 4" heavy barrel.
The Officer's Model Match Mark III, a .38 Special adjustable sight target revolver. This was basically a Trooper Mark III in .38 Special with a 6" barrel. Only about 500 were made.
The Lawman, Metropolitan Police, and Official Police Mark III were all the same basic fixed sight revolver, differing only in the caliber and weight of barrel.
The were intended to be basic police type revolvers.
The Lawman would be for departments wanting a fixed sight heavy barrel .357, the Metropolitan Police for departments limited to the .38 Special, and the Official Police Mark III for those wanting a lighter .38 Special gun.
By the time they hit the market, the fixed sight revolver was being phased out by the police and production of the Metropolitan Police and Official Police Mark III was low due to lack of demand.