Colt New Service with British proofs

[Shark Bait]

I recently got this Colt New Service, originally chambered in .455 Eley. It has a number of markings on it. They all appear to be British to me. Some members of the Colt forum stated that they were Canadian proofs, but I don't see anything I would call Canadian on it. I know there is significant knowledge here and am hoping to get more info.

The gun was converted to .45 Colt by slightly recessing the chambers to accept the thicker 45 Colt case head. It was very nicely done. Now for pics.

 

[2152hq]

The Proofs look like regular British Military firing proof and Inspection/Property markings.

The backstrap marks and the numbers on the sides of the frame could be Armorer applied Unit markings or other such markings (inventory?). They don't look familiar to me, but that isn't saying much.

I'm not seeing and Canadian Property markings.

Maybe the CAP mark on the backstrap is linked to a Canadian Unit (?).

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

They are British proofs

I have two new service revolvers chambered in .455 Eley. they have the same markings.

 

[AJ]

Here is one that I had and the discussion about it on another forum. Colt New Service Canadian? | Gunboards Forums Lots of knowledge there.

 

[Shark Bait]

I have two new service revolvers chambered in .455 Eley. they have the same markings.

Please share pics

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

We have pictures.

The two that I have came back from over there at some point. both in .455 Eley, made in 1913 and 1915 respectively. I shoot them when I like as Fiochi loads the ammo for them and I now have the means to load it myself. Dies components and data.

Additionally, I have paperwork on them from England. This to include a permit to own them from the Bury St. Edmunds constabulary as well as a receipt for them purchased from some iron monger for the princely sum of four pounds Sterling in 1952.

 

[Shark Bait]

I'm thinking I may need to get a letter. Some folks on the Colt forum seem pretty certain it shipped to Canada. They claim the crossed pennants are Canadian, but I found a few statements that they are British acceptance marks.

 

[2152hq]

Crossed Pennants are the Standard British small arms proof mark

If shipped to a CommonWealth Country by them after that, the C/W Country would usually stamp it with their own unique Countries Property Mark.
Canada being the C with a BroadArrow with in it.
Also, Canadian used small arms often received an Arsenal Inspectors Mark at the Quebec Arsenal. A small Crown/30 stamped on the butt of revolvers generally.

W/O the Canadian Military Property Mark of 'C/Broadarrow', I don't really see how any link to Canadian Govt/ Canadian Issue can be thought of.
If the misc markings can be linked to Armorers applied/ some Canadian Unit or HomeGuard type of Oranization, or a private purchase type of thing perhaps.

No need to Proof fire them in Canada as they had already been Proof Fired in the Mother Country of England.,,and if you take it a step further, they were also done in the USA at Colt when made.
Though the Brit laws never did and still don't recognize USA commercial non-Gov't mandated gun proof as good enough to meet their standards.

Added:
If it was Proof Tested in Canada, the Proof Mark would be
a Crown / Crossed Pennants w/ letters D C P in the 9,3 & 6 o'clock quadrants of the pennant staffs
DCP for Dominion of Canada Proof

The only small arms I can recall being so proofed were those actually mfg'rd in Canada..the Ross rifle(s) prior to and during WW1,,& the Inglis HP and the LongBranch #4 .303 rifle during WW2.
Can't think of any others.
Ross rifles were built at the Quebec Arsenal. They often have an Inspectors Mark of Crown/1 on them from the Arsenal inspection there.

Just my thoughts

 

[Shark Bait]

2152hq, your reasoning aligns with mine. Thanks for your input.