This is an attractive example of a scarce Colt Model 1900 U.S. Navy contract sight safety pistol Colt serial number "1228", USN inventory number "228". These pistols are very scarce and unique as they represent the second contract of the Colt Model 1900 sight safety semi-automatic pistols awarded by the U.S. Navy to Colt. Same as the U.S. Army marked pistols these early Model 1900s have a very unique "sight safety" that acts as the rear sight and also acts as the hammer block safety device. They were all chambered for the 38 Colt Auto Rimless, Smokeless caliber. Both the caliber and the rear sight/safety were changed and or modified by the military in later years, so original unaltered examples are very rare. This pistol is one of the original 250 Colt contract pistols that were shipped to the U.S. Navy in October/November 1900. These pistols were shipped in five lots, with this specific example being shipped in the fifth and last lot on Nov. 22, 1900. These pistols are documented and discussed on page 39 of the book, "`U.S. Military Automatic Pistols" by Richard Ellis Publications/Edward S. Meadows. It was retained in a long time collection, so its fresh to the market. In this last shipment of pistols there were exactly 49 pistols shipped in total, all being 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 "1228" and the Navy serial number "USN 228" is 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, and the Colt "VP/Triangle" proof mark is on the left side of the trigger guard bow. The metal parts feature a beautiful Colt type high-polish, commercial blue finish, with nitre blued finish on the trigger and stock screws, and a color casehardened finish on the sight safety and hammer. It has smooth walnut grips with an oil finish. It is complete with its original (slightly flaked) nickel plated Colt factory magazine with the floor plate correctly stamped: "PAT'D SEPT. 9. 1884".

Very fine with 99% of a professional, Colt type high polish blue finish with 98% of a Colt type color case hardened finish on the hammer and rear sight/safety device. The markings are clear and distinct. The smooth walnut grips have a nice matching dark color overall with no visible marks anywhere. An attractive example of a high quality, professional restoration on a very scarce early Colt Model 1900 US Navy contract sight safety automatic pistol.