This is a representative example of a WWI English Colt contract pistol. These pistols were made specifically under a commercial contract for the Government of England for the British Royal Air Force or RAF in late 1918/1919. The frame is marked in front of the slide stop pin with the British "Broad Arrow" proof over the crossed pennants next to "R.A.F." Directly above the magazine release button, it is marked with a "British Crown/G2/A" for the in house British inspector at Colt. The top of the frame is marked with "E" for English contract, and the right side is stamped "GOVERNMENT MODEL" over the serial number "W104122", and directly below that its stamped in slightly larger letters "MADE IN U.S.A." with very small letters directly below the takedown pin "NOT ENGLISH MADE". Also directly behind the take down pin hole it is stamped with the "Crown/BV". It has the correct commercial model Colt slide that has small British "Crossed Pennant" proof behind the slide serrations, and the right side marked "COLT AUTOMATIC over CALIBRE .455". It is fitted with a correct blued commercial barrel with the polished chamber area and a single small "W" in front of the barrel lug and no other proof marks. It is fitted with the various correct components such as the checkered slide stop and thick thumb safety with the under cut, the short grip safety, flat mainspring housing with the lanyard loop, wide Colt hammer with the checkered spur and the long blued trigger with the smooth face. It has the correct early WWI checkered walnut grips with the larger diamond pattern around the grip screws. It is complete with Colt half-tone magazine marked on the base "CAL .455 /ELEY" with the forward slanting lanyard loop.

Very good as British arsenal refurbished with 85% of the hot dip blue finish overall showing edge and high spot wear with blue loss on the front and rear grip strap and the front end of the slide intermixed with some areas of very light pitting under the blue. The grips are in very good condition with clear intact checkering mixed with minor handling marks and light wear across the tops of the checkering. A nice looking WWI era British contract Colt Model 1911 Government model.