Approximately 10,500 Colt Government Model pistols were reportedly acquired by the British government between October of 1917 and April of 1919. The included copy of the factory letter confirms the current configuration, including .455 Webley caliber, with grips not listed, as well as shipment to London Armoury Co. on 26 June 1916 in a 500 gun shipment. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line, two-block address and patent markings, with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. It is a Colt Government Model outfitted with a .455 barrel stamped "M" on the left lug and "P" underneath, "CAL .455 ELEY" marked magazine, a set of crossed pennant and broad arrow military stamps on the left of the frame, "crown/66/E/VP" and "T" markings on the left side of the trigger guard, "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 455" on the right of the slide, along with the standard commercial markings and the special "W" prefix serial number on the right of the frame. It is fitted with fixed blade and notch sights, with a long smooth trigger, wide checkered hammer, short grip safety, checkered grips, a two-tone magazine with "CAL. 455/ELEY" and a lanyard base, and the proper "shelf" for the .455 case rim in the chamber hood of the barrel.

Excellent, retains 97% plus original high polish blue finish with some scattered light marks on frame under slide stop and some scattered light handling marks. The grips are also excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. One will look a long time to find a better example!