This excellent first generation Colt Single Action Army Revolver was manufactured in 1938 and is one of 163 Single Action Army revolvers that were sold to the British Purchasing Commission by Colt along with other revolvers and automatic pistols in an emergency effort by the British to replace the small arms lost during the Battle of France in May 1940. These guns were shipped to Winchester and then exported to Great Britain. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top and the model/caliber designation on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt, and the left side of the trigger guard is marked "4V" above the Colt triangle proof. A British broad arrow acceptance mark is stamped on the left shoulder of the back strap. "Crown/GP" proofs are stamped on the cylinder behind each flute. The underside of the barrel has British nitro proof marks and import marking. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, both grip straps and both grip panels. This revolver is listed by serial number as one of 17 nickel plated Battle of Britain SAAs with a 5 1/2 inch barrel in .45 LC in David Brown's "The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army" on page 28.

Excellent, retaining 90% plus with flaking of the plating visible on both sides of the forward frame and cylinder, some flaking light scratches, and scattered minor handling marks. The grips are also excellent with some surface nicks along the high edge, some minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. A high condition example of one of the only 163 SAAs shipped to Britain in preparation for an expected Nazi invasion.