This is an excellent unaltered and original example of a very late rare U.S. Navy Model 1909 Colt double action contract revolver. This is a very rare Colt revolver with only about 1,000 of these revolvers being purchased by the Navy prior to adopting the Model 1911 automatic pistol. The top of the barrel is marked with the Colt Hartford address and 1884, 1900 and 1905 patent dates in two lines and the left side of the barrel is marked with "COLT D.A. 45". The revolver butt is marked, "USN over an Anchor proof over 45DA" on one side of the lanyard loop and "NO/972" on the other side. The left side of the frame has the rampant Colt motif against a stylized "C". The Colt "VP" Verified Proof is stamped on the left side of the frame at the front trigger guard bow. The frame and the cylinder crane are numbered "52972" and the rear of the cylinder latch is numbered 2972 all which correspond to the serial numbered located on the bottom of the butt. A single letter "N" inspection mark is stamped on the back of the cylinder. It is chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge and it is fitted with a lanyard loop and smooth walnut stocks.

Excellent plus overall with 98%+ of the beautiful Colt high polish blue finish, that shows general edge and high spot wear with minor nicks and scratches overall from very light handling. The front grip strap shows some very minor thinning of the blue and thinning on the back strap. The excellent grips show a nice even matching dark brown finish with mirror handling marks and light pressure dents from light use. The markings are clear and crisp with a mirror bright bore with that highly desirable Colt pre-war blued finish. This is a very scarce U.S. Naval Contract revolver in exceptional condition that would be impossible to improve on.