SOLD - Beautiful, Boxed 1940 Colt Government Model - British Purchasing Commission

Description

3/17/26 - Manufactured in 1940, this is an exceptional original example of a Colt Government Model, which was one of the weapons acquired by the British Purchasing Commission (with Winchester Repeating Arms Co. assistance) after the defeat in the Battle of France and subsequent evacuation at Dunkirk. Having lost an irreplaceable amount of equipment and weapons during the hurried evacuation of the British expeditionary force in the early summer of 1940, the British government was desperately trying to rearm themselves for a feared German invasion. They started purchasing large amounts of weapons from the U.S., regardless of vintage or caliber, many of which were used to rearm their front line troops as well as the newly formed Home Guard which was to be the last line of defense against the German wave sweeping across Europe. According to the included factory letter, which also confirms the configuration, this pistol was sold to the British Purchasing Commission and shipped via Winchester Repeating Arms Co. on 15 July 1940, just five days after the start of the Battle of Britain, in a shipment of 1,000 guns. It has the standard markings and features as well as a British military "broad arrow/crown/W2/sideways E" proof on the left rear of the slide. It comes with a box that is numbered "605". Interestingly enough, our letter actually confirms it was originally shipped in this box. It also comes with its original wax paper wrapping and a spare magazine that is still sealed in its wrapping. The gun has retained nearly all of its original high polish bluing with just a few light scratches and marks here and there and a couple of small spots of discoloration on the right side of the slide. Mint bore. Fitted mint checkered wood grips.