This is a fine example of a U.S. Navy contract Model Colt 1911 with the desirable "U.S. NAVY" marked slide. These Navy marked pistols are very scarce as they were only manufactured through the very early part of 1915 with all other shipments after that having the standard "U.S. Army" marked slides. As documented via Colt letter dated Oct 2014, this pistol was part of a shipment of 1537 pistols sold to the U.S. Navy which were shipped to Springfield Armory in Sept 1914. The slide is marked on the left side with the standard Colt factory two line, two block address/patent marks with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations and on the right side with the noted "MODEL OF 1911. U.S. NAVY" (with serifs) markings. It has the correct early, narrow front sight blade, with the rounded top, rear sights. The frame is stamped with the intertwined initial "WGP", for Walter G. Penfield, U.S. Ordnance Inspector, along with "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" on the left side, with the serial number on the right side. It has the early features such as the all blued and unproofed Colt barrel that is stamped with only a inspector "5" on the underside in front of the lug, the early wide hammer with borderless checkering, the early 1914 pattern thin, thumb safety with undercut, the long trigger with the smooth face, the short grip safety, and flat mainspring housing with the lanyard loop. It has the standard checkered grips with diamond patterns around the screws. It is complete with one all blued, pinned magazine with a lanyard loop on the base.

Fine with 70% of the original blue finish overall with general edge and high spot wear overall mixed with some spotting on the top of the slide, with a gray patina on the front and back grip straps. The grips are in very good condition with nice distinct checkering overall with some heavier pressure dents/dings on both sides from use. A nice looking early U.S. Navy issue Model 1911 pistol.