Sidearms & Scatterguns Help identifying WW1 1911

[Wes3377]

I have acquired a 1911 marked as Colt Automatic, Calibre 455. I need help veryfying that the pistol is correct

The prefix and serial number are correct for a 1918 English order .455 Eley. It also has the correct "E" stamping on the top of the frame behind the magwell for an English order. In the same location is a T, indicating it was assembled and inspected by James Donlin, however, a J is on the rear of the left side of the trigger guard where another T should be. It shows the Colt VP stamp on the forward part of the trigger guard, left side, as it should be. It also has the correctly marked and blued magazine.

Here are my problems:
The first digit, behind the W in the serial number is 1, and is struck deeper than the other five digits.
There are no British proofs, anywhere. No marks at all on the barrel, where I understand there should be a W or E in front of the locking lugs.
The bluing is perfect, but I don't own another period military Colt in this good of condition. It matches my commercial Colt from the same time period, though. Should it be a polished blue?

Do I have a correct model? What would explain the lack of British proofs? What is the likelihood that someone took a mint period 1911, tagged an extra 5 onto the slide roll marked Calibre 45, put a W1 in front of the existing serial number, and passed it off as a Lend Lease?

I plan on attaching pictures, but am on a ticking inspection period and have exhausted my resources in finding another non-proofed .455 Eley for precedent. Anyway, all it would show is the bluing and lack of marks. I wish I could believe it was a prototype/test sample, but the serial number puts it 2000 deep into the orders.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Re: Help identifying WW1 1911

You might try posting the question on 1911forum.com. There's a lot of expertise over there for this sort of thing.

 

[Wes3377]

Re: Help identifying WW1 1911

Thanks. Will do

 

[Wes3377]

Re: Help identifying WW1 1911

Found some help on 1911forum, still not 100% though

 

[Wes3377]

Re: Help identifying WW1 1911

shit, i thought that would work. sorry for the links, if anyone can fix it, i'd appreciate it