Manufactured and shipped in 1900, this pistol was part of a limited order of 250 pieces made for the United States Navy for testing purposes. Initiated independently of the Army trial series, the Navy was interested in the 1900's virtues as a sea service sidearm. The full depth of the testing is unknown, but surviving records indicate that the evaluators were impressed with the accuracy of the pistol, which was able to produce a sub-3 inch group at 100 yards when fired from a vise, and capable of penetrating 3 1/2 inches of pine wood at the same range. The Navy pistols were made in a serial number block of 1001 to 1250, bearing both Colt's serial number and a Navy inventory number; 1223 is not among the numbers in "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols" by Meadows, but it is seated in the appropriate range. While many 1900s were subjected to a "safety conversion", having their novel sight safeties deleted in favor of a conventional blade sight, this Navy 1900 slipped through with its signature feature untouched. Blade front and notch rear sights on the matching numbered slide, with a set of rear-cut slide serrations, two-block address and "BROWNING'S PATENT" markings on the left side, and the caliber marking on the right. The frame is marked "1223" and "U.S.N. 223" on the right and left, respectively, with an "I in star" inspection mark on the right side and the "B in triangle" mark of Lieutenant Charles Brand on the left. Fitted with a casehardened spur hammer, niter blue trigger, "CAL.38/COLT" magazine and smooth hardwood grips.