October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
This is the first such stamped Colt we have encountered. The British Rola Company were loudspeaker manufacturers and aircraft instrument makers, of Minerva Road, Park Royal, NW10; later of Ferry Works, Summer Road, Thames Ditton, Surrey. Starting in 1934 British Rola was an offshoot of the Rola Company of Cleveland, Ohio, USA. British Rola began at Minerva Road, Park Royal, London NW10. When the War broke out in 1940, Rola opened a dispersal factory at Bideford in Devon, in the former garage of Messrs Elliot and Sons. Production for the war effort grew apace with the manufacture of the RAF B3 Vacuum Pump, several thousands of which were produced. These were followed into production by the Rotol Airscrew Feathering Pump, four of which were fitted to all British multi-engined bombers. The final product was the Integral Hydraulic Pump BH Mark IV, and all these items contributed in no small measure to the Forces’ need for reliable battle equipment. This standard US Army Colt was made in 1918 and has all the standard features of gun produced for the Army that year including the brushed blue factory finish, checkered wide spur hammer, long smooth trigger, checkered slide stop and safety, diamond checkered walnut grips, flat mainspring housing with loop with type 11 rear sight, beveled with U notch. The barrel is the original blue version with visible HP stamp. The inspector is GHS for Gilbert Stewart (1915-18) The magazine is a World War II era replacement stamped "S" for Scovill. Bottom line, this is a straight, all original US Army as made in 1918. It was apparently pulled from inventory and sent to the Rola company as part of the lend-lease World War II program for guard duty at this vital British war plant. It is stamped on right side of slide "THE PROPERTY OF BRITISH ROLA LTD NO. 23". There are no British proof or acceptance stamps of any kind. CONDITION: The straps are thinning and there is some minor high edge wear with light takedown line but still retains 98% of the original blue finish. The bore is excellent with some light frosting. It is not marked .455 anywhere but the rifling is for a .455 and not the .45 ACP nor is the magazine marked .455. An interesting World War I high condition 1918 US Colt Army that saw use in Britain early in the Second War.