British Colt Government Model 1911 .455 Webley Semi-Auto Pistol, 1919 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4426
LSB#: 210312DW14
Make: Colt
Model: Government Model
Serial Number: W110523
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1919, shipping of these models was not sequential and the first serial range which includes this serial number shipped to England in April 1919 (“The Government Models”, William Goddard)
Caliber: .455 Webley Self-Loading (Eley)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The right of the frame is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL / W 110523”. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 455” and “RELEASED / BRITISH GOVT. 1952”. The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR.20,1897. SEPT.9,1902 / DEC.19,1905. FEB.14,1911. AUG. 19, 1913”, with a rampant colt, “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” and at the rear of the slide with a crossed flags British proof mark. The bottom of the slide is marked “E”, “Q” and “C”. The top of the frame is marked “E” behind the disconnector, “4” in front, and “8” to the right of the channel for the barrel’s chamber. The left of the trigger guard has “VP” in triangle and “54”. The left of the frame has a broad arrow above a crossed flags British proof mark and crown over “G2 / A”. The barrel is marked “W” and “P” in front of the link. The magazine floorplate is marked “CAL. 455 / ELEY” and with a broad arrow.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a “U”-notched rear sight dovetailed into the slide and a short rounded blade front sight fixed to the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screw escutcheons. The grips have light-moderate handling wear. There are some scattered nicks, scratches and tool marks around the grip screws. There are a few areas of compressed checkering. Otherwise, the checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are nicks, scuffs and scratches scattered throughout. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There is some more notable scratching and tool marks around the slide stop on each side of the frame. The actions shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has both a manual and grip safety and the trigger pull is crisp. The slide has nominal play to the frame. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 7-round magazine with a lanyard ring on the floorplate and the top portion left in the white. The magazine has some minor surface oxidation, operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. The quality of the pistol was not lost on those from foreign countries, and there have been examples used all around the world. Demand was high enough that Colt chambered their Government model for the British self-loading service cartridge, .455 Webley. There were some government contracts and also many were purchased by British officers who frequently purchased their own service sidearms. This example has an “E” contract marking on the top of the frame, indicating that it came from a British government purchase during the Great War, ca. 1919. While there were many different users of this model, they are most associated with the Royal Flying Corps and nearly all would end up in the service of the re-named Royal Air Force. This example of a British contract Government Model has a couple of interesting features. Its frame has the “heart-shape” cuts under the grips, an approved method of reducing machine time by not finishing out the standard oval shape. It retains its beautiful original blue finish, and much of it. Perhaps most interesting, unlike all other examples of the British contract we have seen, there are no commercial proof marks. The pistol has British military acceptance marks and is marked as being released from the British Government in 1952, meaning that it was in inventory for more than 30 years! It also has no American import markings, likely being snapped up immediately when it was sold out of British service. If you have a good source of .455 Webley Self-Loading ammo, it could be a fun shooter. That said, its history and condition will make a great addition to a number of collections, whether you specialize in 1911s, British military firearms, or WWI small arms. Please see our photos and good luck!