This is just a fabulous all original example of a very rare Colt Model 1900 U.S. Navy contract sight safety, semi-automatic Pistol. These pistols are rare and highly desirable in original condition as they represent the second group of Model 1900 U.S. Government contract semi-automatic pistols that was awarded to the Colt firearms company by the U.S. Navy. This series of pistols has the very unique "sight safety", that blocks the hammer. Eventually this feature was changed/modified by the military in almost 99% of the guns contracted for, so original unaltered examples are very rare in this condition. They were chambered in the under powered, 38 Colt Auto Rimless, Smokeless caliber which was also dropped by the military and Colt as being an anemic cartridge. This specific pistol is one of the original 250 Colt contract pistols shipped to the U.S. Navy in the third lot, on Oct 22th, 1900, as listed on page 39 of U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC PISTOLS by Scott Meadows. They were all shipped to the U.S. Government General Storekeeper Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York. The right side of the pistol frame is marked with the Colt serial number "1102" with the Navy serial number "USN 102" on the left side. The right side of the slide is marked: "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" in two lines in front of the ejection port. The left side of the slide is marked: "BROWNING'S PATENT/PAT'D APRIL 20.1897" in a two-line block followed by "COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO/HARTFORD . CONN. U.S.A." in a second two-line block ahead of the slide serrations. A small circled Rampant Colt is stamped behind the slide serrations. A small Navy trident inspection mark is stamped on the right side of the trigger guard bow, with the Colt "VP/Triangle" proof mark on the left side, trigger guard bow. The magazine is correctly nickel plated with the floor plate correctly stamped: "PAT'D SEPT. 9. 1884". The metal parts feature that beautiful Colt high-polish, commercial blue finish, with nitre blued finish on the trigger and stock screws with a color casehardened finish on the sight safety and hammer and it is fitted with plain walnut stocks.

Excellent with 98% plus of the original Colt factory high polish blue finish with some very minor edge wear mixed with some light oxidation and flaking of the Colt blue finish in some areas. The walnut grips are in very fine condition with a nice original dark brown oil finish with minor light handling marks on both sides from use and handling. The markings are clear and sharp. An outstanding, all original, high condition U.S. Navy contract, Colt Model 1900 sight safety pistol.