This is a desirable example of a British Contract Colt Government Model semi-automatic pistol with the "W" prefix serial number. At the start of WWI the British ordering office had a contract with Colt for a total of 2,200 Model 1911 pistols under two separate contracts with each pistol having the early Colt markings and high luster blue finish. This specific pistol is "1 of 200" delivered in the first month of delivery under the second contract "94/P/118" that was shipped on 16 Sept 1916. The right side of the slide is marked "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE .455" and the left side has the early Colt two-line, two block patent/address markings with the Rampant Colt behind the slide serrations and a small Split Tail Crossed Pennant British proof mark, directly above that. The frame is marked on the right side "GOVERNMENT MODEL" over the "W" prefix serial number. The left side of the frame in front of the slide stop pin hole is a single road Arrow proof over the British Split Tail Crossed Pennant proof mark. The front left side of the trigger guard bow has a single "Crown/66/E" Enfield proof mark. Over the Colt "VP" Verified Proof. It has a replacement 45 ACP Colt commercial barrel with a partial small "W" and "P" proofs (indicating chambering for the Webley cartridge), with the non-factory polished chamber area (no proofs present). This fine example has the early checkered slide stop, the early type two checkered thumb safety with the flat mainspring housing, short grip safety, wide Colt hammer with the checkered spur and the checkered walnut grip panels. It has the correct British contract half-tone magazine with a lanyard loop on the bottom that is marked "CAL.455 ELEY".

Very fine. The pistol retains 97% of the original Colt prewar blue finish with minor edge and high spot wear, and a hint of minor thinning on the front grip strap and mainspring housing. The markings are clear and sharp. The grips are also very fine with sharp checkering, a couple of minor light wear spots on the lower right panel and a pressure dent on the left panel lower diamond. The right grip screws are replaced. A very nice example of a British issue Colt Government Model pistol that would take little to correct.