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 a 1914 production, U.S. Navy contract, Colt Model 1911 pistol that was shipped on 26 September 1914 to Springfield Armory "for the navy" ("The Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model of 1911" by Goddard). 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. The "SP" marked replacement barrel is brushed blue. The left side of the frame has the U.S. property marking and "WGP" 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 trigger, smooth flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop, a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips, and a unmarked two-tone magazine with lanyard loop base. Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection

Very good, retains 25% of the original blue finish with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina, some light handling marks scattered throughout, and a small patch of light pitting on the right behind the ejection port. The grips are good with some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout and otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.