This is an excellent example of a World War II associated Colt Single Action Army revolver that was manufactured in 1937 and shipped to Great Britain. 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. The revolver is listed by serial number in David M. Brown’s “The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army” on page 28 as one of 24 “Battle of Britain” nickel plated SAAs with a 4 ¾ inch barrel in .45 caliber (page 28). The revolver’s serial number is also listed in Graham, Kopec and Moor’s “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver on page 182. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 4 ¾ inch barrel in .45 caliber and nickel finish with the type of stocks not listed. The letter also confirms the revolver was sold to the British Purchasing Commission as part of a grouping of 24 SAAs shipped on June 18, 1940 to the British Purchasing Commission through Winchester Repeating Arms Co., New Haven, Connecticut. The British Government purchased 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 SAAs ordered under a military contract. The barrel is stamped with the two-line Hartford address on top and “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates followed by a Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger is stamped with the letter “Y” over the Colt factory “VP” triangle proof marks. British proof marks are present on the underside of the barrel, right side of the frame, cylinder at each flute, and left side of the back strap shoulder. The matching serial number is found on the right side of the trigger guard and back strap, frame, and both grip panels. The front cylinder face has the matching partial serial number “052” as well as a five-pointed star. The matching assembly number “747” appears on the loading gate and back of the frame. Includes a desirable Colt London Agency brown leather flap holster stamped with the Colt London Agency marking and “PM” on the inside of the flap.

Excellent, retaining 95% plus original untouched nickel plating with some loss mostly on the cylinder. The grips are also excellent with minimal handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The rare holster is fine with typical flex wear on the flap, minor handling/storage marks and overall tight stitching. These Colt London Agency holsters are true rarities in Colt collecting and are an essential accessory to any SAA collection. An exceptional example of a very historic and rare British contract Colt Single Action Army Revolver.