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 1 June 1912 to the Brooklyn Navy Yard ("The Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model of 1911" by Goddard). 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 later production replacement barrel is brushed blue with a conjoined "HP" on the chamber and "&" on the bottom. 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 in the early forward position 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 "B" marked two-tone magazine. Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection

Good, retains much of the dull refinished blue with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on the grip straps and edges, and a few patches of light pitting. The markings are faint but clearly legible. The grips are also good with light wear, some scattered light handling marks, and otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.