SOLD - Beautiful, Rare Colt Government Model 1911 - British Eley, .455

Description

10/9/20 - This is a desirable example of a British Contract Colt Government Model semi-automatic pistol with the "W" prefix serial number and chambered for .455. There were only about 10,000 ordered for British Ministry of Munitions contracts for the RFC and RAF Colt Government Model .455 with "W" prefix. This piece features the crossed pennants markings in several spots, indicating government property, as did the arrow proof on the left side of the frame. The floor plate of the two-tone lanyard loop magazine is stamped "CAL. 455/ELEY". The pistol has the Colt commercial blue finish. The barrel is blued and the top of the chamber is polished bright. The stocks are oil-finished checkered walnut with diamonds surrounding the screw escutcheons. The gun is all original with 96% of the lustrous Colt blue remaining, mostly showing high edge wear on the slide and a few minor hints of wear along the front strap and top of slide. Minty grips and excellent magazine. Bore is clean but there's some smoothing of the rifling. This is a rare Colt variation and one of the nicest we have ever seen. These rarely have the original barrel and magazine as they were swapped back to 45 caliber when they returned to the US. This one is all correct and original! Comes with factory letter stating it shipped to the London Armoury Company.