This is a very fine example of an original Colt Model 1900 U.S. Navy contract sight safety pistol. These pistols are very desirable as they were the first US. Navy semi-automatic pistol contract issued by the U.S. Government. The contract was for 250 Colt Model 1900 semi-automatic pistols, all chambered in the Colt 38 Auto Rimless cartridge. Offered here is the second to last pistol in the contract as listed by serial number in Scott Meadows' "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920" on page 41. These pistols were all shipped in 1900 in five lots to the U.S. Government General Storekeeper, Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York. This specific pistol was shipped in the last lot of 49 pistols on Nov 22nd, 1900. These pistols had a very unique rear sight safety that blocks the hammer when engaged, and unaltered examples are very desirable as this cartridge proved to be very weak in stopping power and many of these models had the "rear sight/safety" design changed into a fixed rear sight. All of these were eventually replaced in favor of the later Model 1905 and eventually the Model 1911 in 45 ACP. The right side of the frame is marked with Colt serial number "1249", and the Navy serial number "USN 249" on the left side. The left side of the slide has the two-line, two-block markings of: "BROWNING'S PATENT/PAT'D APRIL 20.1897" followed by "COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO/HARTFORD. CONN. U.S.A." The right side is marked: "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS". A small circled Rampant Colt is stamped on the left side behind the slide serrations. There is a later pattern Colt proof that was a number 1 inside a small five pointed star on the right side of the trigger guard bow, and the Colt proofmark on the left side that consists of a capital letter "B" inside a small triangle, as used by Navy Lt. Charles A. Brand. The magazine is correctly nickel plated with the floor plate correctly stamped "PAT'D SEPT. 9. 1884". The metal parts feature beautiful Colt high polish commercial blue finish with niter blued finish on the trigger and stock screws and color casehardened finish on the sight safety and hammer. Fitted with smooth dark walnut grips with brass escutcheons. This lot comes with one spare magazine with the same base marking noted above.

Very fine with 75% plus of the original blue finish overall with light wear and thinning on top of the slide with a brown patina/oxidation on the grip straps. The pistol shows the typical small scratches overall from being handled and stored by the Navy. The walnut grips are in fine condition overall with a nice matching honey color on both grip panels, with some pressure dents on the side and undersides with a double split at the top or the right grip panel over the screw escutcheon. The markings on the slide and frame are clear and sharp overall. A very fine looking, original example of a scarce U.S. Navy contract Colt Model 1900 Sight Safety semi-automatic pistol.