This is an excellent example of a historic WWII associated Colt Single Action Army revolver that was manufactured in 1939 and shipped to Great Britain. This revolver was one of nine Colt Single Action Army revolvers with 4 3/4 inch barrels, blue finished in 357 Magnum caliber and is listed by serial number in the "Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia" by Keith Cochran on page 24. On June 18, 1940, the British Government purchased through Winchester 163 Colt Peacemakers to replenish their stock of firearms in anticipation of an invasion after the loss of small arms by the British Expeditionary Force during the evacuation from Dunkirk in May 1940. The "Battle of Britain" revolvers were the last Colt Single Action Army revolvers ordered under a military contract. This revolver has a commercial blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame and loading gate are casehardened, and the trigger and hammer are blue with polished sides on the hammer. The top of the barrel is marked with the two line address, "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .357" on the left side, and the left side of the frame is marked with the two line, three patent dates followed by the Rampant Colt. The left front trigger guard bow is stamped with the number "4" over the "VP" triangle proof mark. The right side of the frame is marked "NOT ENGLISH MADE". British proof marks are present on the cylinder and right rear of the barrel. The matching serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame and on the right side of the grip straps under the grip. The grips have the matching number scratched into the insides, and the partial serial number "25" is marked on the rear face of the cylinder. The matching assembly number "325" is marked on the right rear of the frame and on the loading gate. The left side back strap shoulder is marked with a small broad arrow over a "crown/E4/?". This revolvers serial number is also listed in Graham, Kopec and Moore's "A Study of The Colt Single Action Army Revolver" on page 182. A close up picture showing markings of this revolver is also pictured in the same book on page 188. This revolvers is also identified by serial number on page 28 of "The 36 Calibers Of The Colt Single Action Army" by David M. Brown. The accompanying factory letter verifies the caliber, barrel length, blue finish, with the grips as "Not Listed". The letter further states that it was shipped as 1 of 9 sold to the British Purchasing Commission and shipped to Winchester Repeating Arms Co. in New York on June 18, 1940. This revolver has the distinction as being one of the very historic "Battle of Britain" revolvers purchased by the British for a last-ditch defense when faced with the imminent threat of a Nazi invasion in the summer of 1940.

Excellent overall. The revolver retains 99% original blue and vivid casehardened finish, a few scattered minor scratches and three very small dings on the cylinder. The excellent grips show a few very minor dings and the checkering is crisp. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent. An exceptional example of a very historic and rare British contract Colt Single Action Army revolver.