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Colt 1911 Government Model WWI British Series Marked "R. A. F." .455 calibre Webley
Guns International #: 101788163 Seller's Inventory #: P68
Category: Military Pistols - Non-US - Colt Pistols - 1911 Pre-45
Seller's Information
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Seller: William Ashley
Member Since: 4/28/21
First Name: William
Last Name: Ashley
State: Michigan
Zip: 48315
Country: United States
Phone: (586) 202-4864
Number of Active Listings: 9
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: USPS money order, bank checks, personal checks
About Us: No international sales. MI sales tax will be charged on guns and accessories delivered in the state of MI.
Description:
Colt 1911 Government Model WWI British Series Marked "R. A. F." .455 calibre Webley. SN = W103822. This gun was made by Colt under contract to the British War Department for the Royal Air Force (R.A.F.). Serial number range for that contract was W91,100 to W110,700. The "W" prefix to the serial number indicates the gun was built to fire the Webley .455 cartridge. The production period for the RAF contract was January,1918 to April,1919. It is believed that many of these guns where sold to the RAF but they never received the RAF marking until about serial #W99800. These WWI pistols are said to have remained in service with the English for Air/Sea Rescue units in WWII. This gun has the very desirable R.A.F. hand stamping and the British Military Broad Arrow marking on the left side of the frame above the trigger guard (indicating property of the British War Department). The British cross pennants marking appears on the left side of the frame and the left rear of the slide (indicating that the British had proofed the gun for military use). Starting in April 1918, a British Ordnance inspector worked in the Colt assembly plant in New Haven, CT. Mr. G. W. R. Stedman performed a final inspection on all British procured pistols at the factory. Mr. Stedman's inspector cartouche was the British Crown over G2 over A (for America). This inspector mark is found on the left side of the frame above the magazine release. The Colt VP (Verified Proof) factory inspection mark is located on the left side of the trigger guard. The right side of the slide is marked "Colt Automatic Calibre 455".
The 455s were a corner stone of the English arsenal. After the war, some guns were converted to .45 ACP. When this conversion was done officially, a "X" was usually placed on top of the last 5 in 455 on the right side of the slide. This gun was eventually exported back to the USA and has been converted to .45 ACP by replacing the barrel and the magazine. On this particular gun, the "X" was not stamped on the slide. The stamp on the slide stills reads "Calibre 455". Colt .455 barrels have a E for English or W for Webley stamp forward of the lugs on the barrel for identification. The original magazines will also be marked Cal .455 or some close variation as well as serial numbered by the British armorers. The barrel for this gun is stamped "Colt 45 Auto". The magazine for this gun is marked "Colt 45 Auto". There is a lanyard loop mounted on the heel of the gun. This gun has the original factory blue finish in excellent condition. This gun has not been arsenal refurbished or remarked. The finish on this gun is superior to other British RAF Colt 1911s that are currently on the market.
This gun can easily be converted back to the original .455 Webley caliber factory configuration by simply replacing the barrel and magazine.
The original factory grips (checkered walnut panels with diamond pattern around the screws) are in very good condition with some softening of the sharp points. The grips exhibit the proper 15 rows of checkering between the diamonds.
A second set of dark yellow used grips for this gun - reminiscent of the dark yellow tones of real aged ivory.- are available for purchase from the seller. These aftermarket grips were made by Catalin. Catalin is the brand name of an early plastic made from phenol formaldehyde resins developed by the American Catalin Corporation in the 1930s. It was widely used for items like radio cases as well as faux ivory grips back in the '40s and '50s. John Wayne's favorite movie single action revolver was a Great Western clone single action army with Catalin grips. He was a commercial spokesman for Great Western Arms and used a pair of the revolvers in the "Shootist", which was his last movie. Additional cost of $29 (see photo below). The Catalin dark yellow grips are not included in the price of the gun.
Shipping to your FFL or C&R license only. Inspection must be done on the premises of the receiving FFL or C&R license only. Do not remove firearm from receiving FFL before inspection is completed and firearm is accepted. We provide a 3 day window to complete reasonable inspection. Inspection starts on date of delivery to receiving FFL. Do not disassemble. If you are unsatisfied, do not complete transfer. Promptly return item using original packaging. We do not refund shipping cost from the seller to the buyer. We also do not reimburse return shipping cost. Add shipping cost of $50.
Price: $3,995.00
Curio/Relic: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .45 ACP (.45 Auto)