February 5, 6, & 7, 2019 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/6/2019
In 1914, as Britain entered World War I, the entire British Empire went to war. The British Navy had adopted the .455 Eley, and the first contract for the .455 pistol was May 16th, 1916 for 500 pistols in .455 Caliber. England has ordered several thousand pistols beginning in 1913 and between 1913 and 1916, purchase orders began for the .455. After 1916, the London Army sold the majority directly to the government. The May 16th order was part of the government contract and in January of 1917, the order was increased from 200 per month to 300 per month. A total of 12,009 1911s in .455 Webley were procured under wartime contracts. The majority of these are attributed to the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and the Royal Naval Air Service, with most ending up in the Royal Air Force which was formed April 1st, 1918. Many were stamped RAF, but many are not. This particular example was manufactured in 1917, second lowest government procurement of 500 pistols. It is not stamped RAF but does have British proof marks on left side of frame, left side of slide. Barrel is not stamped with any British proofs or caliber markings and we must assume it is a .45 ACP replacement. The period two-tone tempered magazine is stamped "Caliber .455 ELEY" and has the standard lanyard loop. All other small parts are typical 1917 period to include long smooth trigger, checkered slide stop and safety, short wide spur hammer, flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop, diamond checkered walnut grips, front sight has been altered. Rear sight is beveled edge with u notch. CONDITION: Grip straps are grey patina as is trigger guard, bottom of frame is grey-brown patina. Sides of frame exhibit 70-80% of the bright Colt factory blue finish with light takedown line. Frame retains approximately 75% Colt factory finish, mixed with grey patina and scattered handling marks. Legends are sharp. Right side of frame is stamped Colt Automatic .455. A nice example of a used but well cared for London shipped World War I Colt automatic.