May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/29/2020
Blue finish. Half moon front sight, U notch rear, two line two block patent and address information with Rampant Colt at rear and British view proof just above pony, right side of slide with "COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBER 455". Barrel with British view and proof marks on chamber, very faint "W" on right side lug, "J" on left side, "5" in front. Checkered slide release, safety, spurred hammer, and magazine release. Smooth flat mainspring housing. Long curved milled trigger. "R" and "E" stamps on top of frame near disconnector hole, Colt VP and "R" proof on trigger guard, "J.J." just above. Truncated diamond checkered grips. Three magazines with lanyard loops and marked on baseplate "CAL.455 / ELEY". Appropriate "W" serial number prefix. Accompanied by a factory letter confirming shipment to London Armory Company, England, on July 19th, 1915. Additionally, according to an email from the Imperial War Museum and Clawson, this pistol falls into the first shipment of guns sent to England. CONDITION: Excellent to fine, retaining the vast majority of its blue finish with some losses at high edges and operational points, including underneath the trigger guard, with some other scattered marks. Action works appropriately when cycled by hand, bore is excellent, strong, with shiny grooves and frosted lands. Magazines are very good to excellent with scattered handling marks. An attractive and rare example of the .455 1911. EW
Accessories
2 Extra magazines
Model
Government Model 1911
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Provenance