Lot 3442: U.S. Navy Contract Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol

A total of 15,037 of these pistols were manufactured by Colt with the desirable U.S. Navy slide marking, all of which were delivered prior to April of 1915. After that, all Model 1911 pistols delivered to the Navy would bear the standard U.S. Army nomenclature, of which there were approximately 578,473 manufactured, making this variation comparatively very scarce. This is an exceptional example of a 1912 production, U.S. Navy contract, Colt Model 1911 pistol that was shipped on 1 June 1912 to the Brooklyn Navy Yard ("Colt .45 Service Pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911A1" by Clawson). It is finished in the military brushed blue finish that was adopted in April of 1912. The left side of the slide is marked with the standard two-line, two-block Colt address and patent dates with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations, while the right bears the desirable "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. NAVY" marking. Brushed blue barrel with "H" inspection mark visible on the top rear of the chamber hood. The left side of the frame has the U.S. property marking and "WCP" circled monogram above the magazine release, while the serial number is on the right. It is fitted with blade front and rounded top notch rear sights, checkered slide catch, thumb safety, magazine catch, and wide hammer, long smooth military trigger, smooth flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop, a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips, and a "key-slot" pattern two-tone magazine with lanyard loop base.

Very fine, retains 75% plus of the original brushed blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily on the grip straps and some edges, and a few scattered brown spots of very light surface pitting on the top left of the slide. The grips are fine with some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout and mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.