The Colt factory letters that accompany the revolver state that it was shipped to the London Armory Company on December 7, 1914 as part of a lot of 15 guns. The letters list the caliber as ".450/c", the barrel length as "4 1/2" and the finish as "Blue". The revolver has the Colt high polish commercial blue finish with niter blue trigger and hammer top. The ejector rod and lanyard loop are casehardened. The grips are checkered hard rubber with "COLT" in an oval on the top. The top of the barrel has the two-line Hartford address with "1884", "1900" and "1905" patent dates. The left side of the barrel has the model and caliber designation: "NEW SERVICE 450 ELEY" in one line. The bore diameter "45" is stamped on the underside of the barrel just in front of the frame. The left side of the frame has the Rampant Colt trademark located behind the cylinder catch and the "VP/Triangle" proof and assembler's number "3" stamped just above the trigger guard bow. The serial number, "71508" is located on the frame in the cylinder crane well and on the inside of the cylinder crane. British proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel and receiver and in each cylinder flute. This revolver almost certainly was purchased by a British officer as a personal sidearm and carried in WWI.

Very fine. The revolver retains approximately 75% of the bright original blue finish. It shows the moderate handling wear of a military weapon that has been carried in the field. The barrel has holster wear at the muzzle with some pitting on the left side. There is considerable handling wear on the grip straps and cylinder catch and the finish has faded to smooth blue-gray patina. The high points of the cylinder and the top of the frame have moderate holster wear. The grips are in fine condition with light to moderate handling wear. There is a small chip in the heel and some light scratches on the Colt motif on the left grip. All markings are sharp. The bore is bright. The action functions perfectly.