May 13-15, 2025 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/13/2025
Between January 22nd, 1918, and April 28nd, 1919, 10,000 pistols were shipped to the Royal Air Force, and many were issued to pilots of the Royal Air Force; this one is stamped RAF on the left side of slide. The serial number has the W prefix and stamped "Not English Made" on right side of frame. There is a crown over "G2" over "A" inspection mark on left side of frame. The verified proof is on left trigger bow. There is a British proof mark on left side of frame. This same proof mark can be found on the left side of the slide which also has all typical Colt legends but is also stamped "CALIBRE .455". The blued barrel has the same British inspection stamp. Under the slide is stamped "E" for English. The left lug has the British crossed pennant stamp but is not stamped .455. This same proof is also stamped on rear left side of slide. The magazine is two tone tempered with lanyard ring and is stamped with "(Broad Arrow) Cal .455 Eley". All other features are typical Colt World War I commercial era, including diamond checkered walnut grips, flat mainspring housing with loop, long smooth trigger, checkered wide spur trigger, checkered slide stop and safety. The rear sight has rounded ears with U notch. Clawson's book says they were originally blued by Colt's wartime gas oven process, but most of them were later refinished in England with a soft satin blue as is the case with this example. CONDITION: Excellent. The frame and slide retain at least 95% of the British blue with sharp legends showing usual scattered handling marks. The main spring housing is patina. The grips are excellent. The bore is bright. This is a fine example of a WWI issue British RAF pistol.