Manufactured in 1942, this pistol falls within the 558,571 to 565,791 serial number range of 2,000 "U.S. PROPERTY" marked Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless pistols in .32 ACP sent to Britain on December 4, 1944, making it one of some 4,682 parkerized examples sent over throughout the war as a part of the Lend-Lease Act discussed on pages 98-99 of "The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols" by Brunner. The author notes that many of the late war shipped pistols were likely never used, declared surplus in the 1960s, and then British proofed for subsequent sale back to the U.S. market, which may explain the high level of retained finish found on examples such as this specimen. The serial number range of 483,450 to 566,503 is also listed on page 406 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols Vol. II (1920-1945)" by Meadows as being sent to England for Lend-Lease support. Features fixed blade front and notch rear sights, blued barrel marked "COLT 32 AUTO" on the left side with polished chamber marked with British proofs, standard two-line address and patent dates with "rampant colt" behind the serrations on the left side of the slide, with caliber marking on the right and matching serial number stamped on the interior. The frame bears the "U.S. PROPERTY" marking on the right side with British proofs underneath, along with "57" on the trigger guard, with the serial number and "ordnance wheel" acceptance proof on the left side, along with "triangle/VP" and "X" on that side of the trigger guard. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips with silver Colt medallions and full-blue magazine with "CAL.32/COLT" marked on the underside of the floor plate. The included factory letter lists the pistol with a 3 3/4 inch barrel chambered for .32 caliber, blue finish (likely a factory error), and type of grips not listed when sold to the United States Government, factory order No. 4711, and included in a shipment of 2,000 pistols sent to Port Transportation of the New York Port of Embarkation in Brooklyn, New York, on December 4, 1944, the same shipment mentioned previously by Brunner.

Excellent plus, retaining 99% original parkerized finish with some limited edge wear, some minor spotting at the bottom of the frame and muzzle, some dried grease in the finish, but otherwise limited minor handling marks. The grips are very fine as varnished with defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. It would be difficult to find a better original parkerized example of a World War II British Lend-Lease U.S. Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer pistol than this!