1911a1 British proof question

[Seaburry]

I have assumed this was a lend lease gun but after reading on the forum I'm not sure. There is a nitro proof on the barrel also but couldn't get a clear iPhone picture. Sorry my skills are lacking. It appears to be 1937-38 by proof house.Should I letter this gun? Thanks for looking wk

[kwill]

Yes, that letter might be interesting. I suspect it will say that this was bought by the British Purchasing Commission with Winchester as the purchasing/shipping agent. These are sometimes referred to as "Battle of Britain" guns. What is odd is that the barrel hood seems to have the post WWII commercial proofs but the rest of the gun does not. Perhaps the barrel has been replaced, as have the grips.

Regards,
Kevin Williams

[oldcanuck]

London Proofs.....

[Ratzo]

London proof house from the proof act of 1955. The barrel hood should read .45" .900" with 7 tonsper underneath. There should also be an NP proof infront of that. The coolest thing I have noticed from the lend lease guns is that if they are in that good shape they are typically all original.

[Seaburry]

So, you are saying tis gun was proofed after 1955.

[lawdog45]

I have what has been ID'd as a Lend Lease .45. It is dated 1942 as I recall and has "Not
British Made" and several other British Proof Marks. Parkerized finish. Interesting guns. I think many where never issued as they appear about unfired.

[lawdog45]

I found the thread about my Lend Lease Colt. With some photos.
[h=1]Lend Lease Colt 1911A1[/h]You pistol looks like a more commercial (read nicer) finish.

[Rob Greer]

I believe the proof marks on this pistol are commercial proofs. On the link that lawdog45 shared shows typical lend lease (military) proof stamps - stampped when the pistol was released from Gov't possession. I am not near my reference book right now, so I'm going from memory...

[Ratzo]

Yes based on Clawsons information. "NOT ENGLISH MAKE" was also eliminated under this proof act. British proofs were applied to the lend lease firearms when they were later sold and left Britain, not when they arrived during WWII. Most likely your pistol sat in storage until it was sold back to distributors in the US.

[lawdog45]

A good article on Lend Lease Colts.
http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/1...%20M1911A1.htm