U.S. Navy Colt M1911 Pistol from a lot of 1000 shipped to the U.S. Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York on August 23, 1913. The pistol is accompanied by a Model 1912 Swivel Holster, a Mills magazine pouch with 'rimless eagle' snaps, an early production Mills Model 1912 Pistol Belt and a russet leather satchel marked: "Brigade Headquarters/N.Y.N.M." (New York Naval Militia). The pistol has the "fine finish" blue approved by the Ordnance Department on March 23, 1912, flat top rear sight, early short hammer, safety lock with thin thumb piece, two-tone magazine with lanyard loop and oil-finished, checkered walnut grips. The right side of the slide is marked: "MODEL OF 1911.U.S.NAVY" and the left side is roll-stamped with the "1897, 1902, 1905" and "1911" patent dates in two un-equal lines followed by "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG.CO./HARTFRORD. CT.U.S.A." in a two-line block with the Rampant Colt trademark located behind the slide serrations. "No43384" is roll-stamped on the right side of the frame behind the slide stop hole. The left side of the frame has "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marked ahead of the trigger guard and the encircled "WGP" monogram of Ordnance Inspector Major Walter G. Penfield stamped above the magazine release. The top of the frame has an "H" provisional inspection mark stamped in front of the disconnector hole and a "T" Colt assembler's mark stamped to the right of the hole. An "H" is stamped on the rear of the frame above the firing pin stop. The top of the barrel chamber is stamped with a "P" proof mark and a "H" provisional inspection mark perpendicular to the axis of the bore. The russet leather Model 1912 swivel holster retains the original tie-down strap. The holster flap is embossed with "US" in an oval. The back of the swivel hanger is stamped: "ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL/1912/H.E.K." in four lines. The olive green web cartridge pouch is marked with the "Mills/Cartridge" trademark and dated "1913". The pouch is the first pattern with two blackened, rimless, eagle snaps and no snap on the rear belt loop. The Mills Model 1912 pistol belt is the early pattern with no snap to secure the magazine pouch. The pistol belt is marked with the Mills cartridge logo and dated "1913".

Excellent. The pistol is in truly exceptional condition for an early Colt Navy contract Model 1911 and retains approximately 97% of the bright original blue finish. Finish loss is limited to some very minor holster wear on the slide at the muzzle, flaking on the front of the grip strap and some thinning on the main spring housing and grip safety. The barrel has about 95% of the blue finish with some light cycling wear on the chamber and muzzle. The grips are in excellent condition with some light finish loss on the screws and some minor handling marks on the checkering. All markings are very sharp. The magazine is in excellent condition with about 95% of the original finish. The Model 1912 holster is in good condition with minor cracking on the hanger and finish loss on high points of the flap and holster body. The scarce early Model 1912 Pistol Belt and magazine pouch are in excellent condition with no fading on the olive green webbing, all of the blue and blackened finish on metal fittings and clear Mills markings. The russet leather satchel is in good overall condition; the gold lettered markings on the front are clear and the leather body and flap show minor cracks and some age flaking. This is an outstanding, matching, Colt Model 1911 Navy rig that would be the center-piece of the finest Colt M1911 collection.