This is a fine example of the 106th U.S. Colt Model 1911 Navy semi-automatic pistol produced. 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 example of an early 1912 production, U.S. Navy contract, Colt Model 1911 pistol that was shipped on 7 March 1912 to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, in the very first shipment of Navy pistols, which included serial numbers 501-1000 ("The Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model of 1911" by Goddard). It is finished in the early high polish blue finish which was replaced by a military brushed blue finish circa April of 1912 at serial number 2400. The left side of the slide is marked with the standard two-line, two-block Colt address and patent dates with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations, while the right bears the desirable "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. NAVY" marking. The unmarked early production style barrel is full blue. The left side of the frame has the U.S. property marking and the "WGP" circled monogram above the magazine release, while the serial number is on the right. The serial number is in the early location, farther forward on the frame, which was standard until serial number 7501. It is fitted with blade front and rounded top notch rear sights, replacement checkered slide catch, replacement thumb safety, later style replacement magazine catch, and replacement wide hammer, replacement long smooth trigger, smooth flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop, a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips, and an unmarked full blue later production replacement magazine.

Very good, retains 30% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, primarily on the frame, with the balance mostly a touched up smooth grey patina, most prominent on the slide and grip straps. The grips are good with some light dings and scratches scattered throughout, slightly long replacement grip screws, a sliver absent from the bottom rear of the left panel, and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.