This pistol is accompanied by a framed print of "The Charge of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade at the Nek" by G. W. Lambert, a framed picture of Colonel Hughes, an Australian flag, "AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH/MILITARY FORCES" pin, and two silver NRA award medals. The pistol won the "NRA Affiliate Club Silver Medal # 235, Ohio Gun Collectors Association Outstanding Weapon in Award 2011 and 2013, and NRA Annual Meeting Best Arms Silver Medal Award #518. According to the included factory letter, the pistol was part of a ten gun shipment sent to Alcock and Piece in Melbourne, Australia, on April 2, 1914. In addition to the standard Colt markings and features, the pistol is inscribed "COLONEL F.G. HUGHES./FROM F.W. MANN." Frederick W. Mann was a veteran of the Boer War who went on to become lawyer in Melborne, and was the Victoria Supreme Court Chief Justice and Victoria Lieutenant Governor. Frederic G. Hughes joined the Australian field artillery in 1875 and was a captain in the Victorian Horse Artillery in 1889. By 1903 he was in command of the 11th Light Horse Regiment, also known as the Victorian Mounted Rifles. In 1909 he became aide-de-camp to the governor general and then on October 17, 1914, Hughes became the colonel in command of the newly formed 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The brigade was sent to Gallipoli and participated in the storming of the Turkish trenches at the infamous Battle of the Nek on August 7, 1915. The included print of George Lambert's 1924 painting depicts the disastrous 3rd Light Horse Brigade attack on the Turkish trenches. The ensuing carnage earned the attack the nickname "Godley's abattoir" because the 3rd was ordered by Major General Sir Alexander Godley against entrenched Turkish machine guns, despite the fact that the earlier naval bombardment had failed to kill or dislodge the Turkish machine gunners and another charge (which was supposed to have occurred simultaneously) had failed. Differences in the time of the artillery officer's watch and the assault officer's are also said to have led to a seven minute delay between the artillery bombardment and the actual trench assault. This left plenty of time for the Turks to get back into position. The Australians were sent in four waves with unloaded rifles and fixed bayonets. The entire first wave of the attack was cut down by rifle and machine gun fire within thirty seconds and the subsequent waves met similar fates. Colonel Hughes could not be found to cancel the third attempt because he had tried to move to a position from which he could watch the action. A fourth wave was also sent in despite his cancellation of the attack, also due to his distance from the main trenches. In just fifteen minutes, 372 men were killed. The entire Gallipoli campaign was a failure for the Allies. Given the popularity of these pistols as officer's sidearms during the WWI, it is very likely that Colonel Hughes carried this pistol on that fateful day.

Very good. The pistol retains 30% of the thin original blue finish which is fading to a brown patina. There is some brighter wear primarily on the high edges and various small marks and scratches. The exposed metal from the inscription has an honest aged appearance. The grips are very good with only minor handling wear. The markings and action are excellent. The included accessories are all very good. This is a historically significant pistol connected to a tragic battle in the First World War.