Colt Government Model .455 Automatic Pistol manufactured in 1916 as part of a contract for 1,900 pistols with the British War Office. The pistol is chambered for the ".455 Webley Self Loading Pistol Cartridge Mark I" and has the "W" serial number prefix applied by Colt to Government Model Pistols chambered for the .455 cartridge. The floor plate of the two-tone lanyard loop magazine is stamped "CAL. 455/ELEY". The pistol has the Colt commercial blue finish. The barrel is blued and the top of the chamber is polished bright. The stocks are oil-finished checkered walnut with diamonds surrounding the screw escutcheons. The pistol has a short hammer with rounded rear edge, 1914 style safety lock with thick thumb piece and commercial slide stop with plunger groove. The right side of the frame is roll-stamped "GOVERNMENT MODEL/W 62924" in two lines behind the slide stop hole. The left side of the trigger guard is stamped with the Colt "Triangle/VP" proof mark below the British "Broad Arrow" and Enfield inspection mark. The top of the frame is stamped with an "X" assembler's mark to the left of the disconnector hole and an "E" behind it. A "P" is stamped on the underside of the barrel chamber in front of the lug. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 455" in two lines. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the Colt 1897-1913 patent dates in a two-line block followed by the Colt Hartford address in two lines. The Rampant Colt trademark is stamped on the left side of the slide behind the serrations and a British crossed pennant proof mark is stamped above it. The pistol is accompanied by a WWII British olive green canvas holster that will accommodate either a Model 1911 pistol or a DA revolver.

Excellent. The pistol retains 95% of the original blue finish. There is light-moderate holster wear on the forward edges of the slide and front edge of the frame. The top of the rear sight and rear edges of the slide and frame show some light holster wear. There are three prominent semi-circular take-down scratches on the left side of the slide and several lighter scratches on the left side of the frame below the slide stop. The slide and frame show typical minor handling scratches found on British military pistols. There is a 1/2 inch bruise in the checkering on the right grip just below the upper diamond. The left grip is in excellent condition. The grip screws have minor screwdriver battering. The magazine retains 90% of the original two-tone finish. The holster is in fine condition.