Colt 1911 A1 pistol. The stock has chequered walnut grips. The butt incorporates the magazine and there is a magazine release catch on the underside of the butt. The detachable box magazine takes seven rounds. The frame incorporates the trigger guard. The cocking slide takes up the whole of the top of the weapon. Semi-automatic, with recoil action. Rounds are thrust up into the breech by the magazine spring when the action is to the rear. After cocking for the first round, the weapon is automatically reloaded. The action is semi-automatic as the trigger has to be squeezed for each seperate shot. The barrel is rifled, for the most part enclosed within the slide. The barrel has a blade foresight and a notch rear sight. The calibre is 0.45in. Inscribed on the pistol is the following: 'GOVERNMENT MODEL W69541 PATENTED APR 23 1897 SEPT 9 1902 DEC 19 1905 FEB 14 1911 AUG 1915'. Along with the serial number 'W69541'. Supplies of these pistols were shipped to Britain during 1915/16. Serial numbers special to this contract were prefixed by the letter W.