This is a very fine example of a late 1915 manufactured Model 1911 that was manufactured under contract for the US Navy. This specific pistol was part of a 500 gun shipment of pistols shipped from Colt to the Brooklyn Navy Yard on March 5, 1915, for issue to the U.S. Navy. They were the last U.S. Navy contract Colt Model 1911 pistols with the distinctive marking "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. NAVY" on the right side of the slide. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the Colt 1897-1913 patent dates in a two-line block followed by the Colt legend and Hartford address in two lines. The Rampant Colt trademark is roll-stamped behind the left slide serration. The right side of the frame is correctly roll-marked with serial number, "No 109734", behind the slide stop hole and "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" ahead of the trigger guard. The frame and slide markings utilize Roman style (serif) letters. The Ordnance final inspection mark of the initials "GHS", (for Maj. Gilbert H. Stewart) is stamped above the magazine release. The "H" provisional inspection mark is stamped on the top of the frame in front of the disconnector hole, on the end of the slide above the slide stop. The top of the all blued barrel is correctly stamped with the final inspection marks of a separated "P" and "H" proof both correctly oriented perpendicular to the axis of the bore. The pistol has the second style recoil spring guide adopted in 1915, first style firing pin stop, 1911 style slide stop, 1914 style safety lock with thick thumb-piece and machine cut with a wide spur hammer with rounded rear edge with full checkering. It comes with a correct Colt, two-tone magazine with a lanyard loop on the base. The pistol has the deep blue "dull finish" adopted in early 1912 and utilized until 1917. The two-piece, oil-finished walnut grips are checkered with diamonds surrounding the stock screws.

Exceptionally fine with 80% plus of the original blue finish overall with slight thinning confined to the underside of the trigger guard bow, front grip strap, and bottom of the main spring housing. The slide and flats on frame are all in very fine condition with clear sharp markings overall. The grips are in very fine with nice distinct checkering overall showing light wear across the tops of the checkering and large diamonds. Mechanically Excellent. A very fine and attractive early 1915 production Colt Model 1911 with the highly desirable U.S. Navy slide markings.