This is an example of a U.S. Navy Contract Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic pistol. This pistol was shipped in the second Navy contract delivery of 1,000 pistols, shipped to the Brooklyn Navy Yard in August 1912. This very scarce pistol is accompanied by an equally rare early Model 1916 patent leather holster that is dated 1913 on the back side. The slide has the early short two-line/two-block Colt factory patent dates and address of "PATENTED APR.20. 1897/SEPT.9.1902. DEC.19.1905. FEB.14. 911" followed by "COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO./HARTFORD.CT.U.S.A.", with the circled Rampant Colt logo stamped behind the serrations on the left side of the slide. The right side of the slide is marked "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. NAVY", and it has the small "H" inspection mark on the back of the slide above the firing pin. The left side of the frame is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" and the right side has the serial number "No. 43616" behind the slide stop hole. The left side of the frame is marked with the circled "WGP" inspection mark of Major Walter G. Penfield. The slide is fitted with the narrow/thin profile front sight with the early round top rear sight. It still has the smooth trigger, type 3, slotted magazine release, checkered slide stop, thick thumb safety and wide checkered hammer spur. The complete barrel is marked with a separate "P" and "H" on top of the chamber, with a "J" stamped on the left side of the lug and a "5" in front of the lug. It has the checkered walnut grips with diamond pattern around the screws. It is complete with a half-tone blued magazine with the pinned base and a lanyard loop on the underside.

Period refurbished. The slide retains most of an arsenal dipped blue finish (not polished) and has clear sharp markings. The frame and remaining components retain half of the same blue finish with wear and blue loss on the front grip strap mixed with thinning and browning on the mainspring housing and grip safety, with the barrel having a browned out finish. The grips are in very good condition with distinct checkering on both sides showing wear across the tops of the checkering on both sides. The holster is good plus with a medium brown oily finish overall with nice markings on the front flap, with tight stitching overall, mixed with some age cracking. The maker's mark on the back is unreadable with the 1913 dated restamped over the original date. This is still a good representative U.S. Navy Contract Colt manufactured Model 1911 pistol.