Lot 1260

WWI British Shipped Colt .455 Government Model Pistol

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WWI British Shipped Colt .455 Government Model Pistol

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000

Starting Bid: $3,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Very Fine World War I Era British Shipped and Military Proofed Colt .455 Eley Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol Manufactured in 1918, this "W" prefix Colt Government Model .455 Eley chambered pistol falls within the serial ranges of 11 different shipments sent between April 25 to October 10, 1918, with the April 25th shipment of 300 pistol sent to the English Government under the care of Sir Connop Guthrie (1882-1945) and the rest sent to the British Ministry of Shipping, as listed in the table of "Appendix E" on page 415 of "Colt .45 Service Pistols" by Charles Clawson. Features fixed oval blade front and squared notch rear sights, the two-line, two-block Colt patent dates and address roll-marked on the left of the slide with a Rampant Colt and British "crossed pennant" stamp behind the serrations, the two-line "CALIBRE 455" designation roll-marked on the right side, a "W" and "P" marked blued barrel in .455 Eley, the model designation and serial number on the right of the frame, British "broad arrow" over "crossed pennant" and "crown/G2/A" stamps on the left of the frame. Fitted with a pair of "double diamond" pattern checkered walnut grips and a two-tone blued magazine with pinned lanyard loop base marked "CAL.455/ELEY" and with a British "broad arrow" proof. Includes an extra two-tone blued magazine with pinned lanyard loop base marked "CAL.455/ELEY".

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Government

BBL: 5 inch round

Gauge: 455 Eley Auto

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial NumberW101205

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Very fine overall, retaining 80% plus original blue finish with some smooth grey and brown patina on the forward portion of the slide, limited minor spotting, dried grease, some minor scuffs, light wear, clear markings, and well-defined grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. An attractive original example of a World War I Era 1918 British shipped and proofed Colt "W" prefix Government Model pistol in .455 Eley!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000