June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/26/2018
Between 1914 and 1916 the British War Department submitted purchase orders to the London Armory Company for the Model 1911 in .455 Eley caliber. All military 1911s chambered for .455 made during this time frame have a serial number with a 'W' prefix. The British Government issued two contracts for Model 1911 pistols; may16th, 1916 for 500 which was extended another 200 per month and increased the order again in January 1917 to 300 per month, a total of 12,009 were manufactured under these military contracts, the majority of which wound up in the Royal Air Force that combining Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. All of these pistols will bear numerous British broad arrow government ownership marks, and some are stamped "RAF". The 'W' prefix pistol magazines will not fit standard 1911s. Right side of the slide is stamped "COLT AUTOMATICA CALIBRE 455" with standard patent stamps on left side. Rear sight is a flat top with radius corners and small half moon front. Right side of frame is stamped "GOVERMENT MODEL W58125". Features checkered slide stop and safety, wide spur hammer, smooth mainspring housing, two tone tempered magazines tamped "CAL 455 ELEY". The barrel is not marked and therefore would certainly need to be measured to see if it is for .455 or .45 as there are no British proofs or caliber stamps on any kind. Diamond checkered walnut grips are very good to excellent. Gun has overall blue-brown patina finish with some evidence of some wiped-on finish to blend it out. While not in highly collectible condition, it is certainly a fine and rare military pistol and still quite collectible. In addition it comes with a 1912 RIA swivel holster.