Page 284 - 83-BOOK3

Two Early, Pre-World War I U.S. Navy Associated Colt 1911 Pistols
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE BOOK THE GOVERNMENT MODELS BY GODDARD
MARE ISLAND NAVAL SHIPYARD
LOT 3536
Documented Historic Factory Inscribed Colt “Commercial Issue” Government
Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster - Serial no. C41182, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1916, fairly early in the production of the Colt Government Model. This pistol represented the cutting edge of firearm technology and was highly sought after by military personnel and civilians alike. This particular
example is sometimes called a “Commercial Issue” as it was ordered specifically for presentation
to a military officer. In 1916 this pistol would have been an incredible gift for an officer who had obviously
earned the respect and admiration of those serving under him. The pistol is listed by serial number on p. 260 of “The Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model of 1911” by Goddard, including the
inscription and that it was shipped to Samuel Bryan, Pay Inspector, U.S. Navy on 17 May 1916 along with two other pistols also inscribed to naval officers. The slide bears the two-line, two-block address and patent
markings on the left side of the slide with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right of the slide has the caliber markings. “VP” and “R” are on the trigger guard, and “GOVERNMENT MODEL”
is on the right side of the frame above the serial number. The right side of the
slide also bears the factory inscription “To W.C. Sutherland/From His Company”. A
Lieutenant W.C. Sutherland is listed in the March 1919 issue of Army-Navy-Air Force
Register and Defense Times (Vol. 65) as detached from Massachusetts Institute of
Technology; to Mare Island to duty in hull division, navy yard. The Mare Island Navy Yard was the first of
its kind on the west coast of the United States, and in 1917 was the site of a large explosion of munitions
barges that is believed to have been carried out by German saboteur, Lothar Witzke. It is possible that this pistol was a gift from members of the Navy R.O.T.C. at M.I.T. to Sutherland upon graduation. Includes a “1914” dated canvas Mills holster.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned mostly to a grey-plum brown patina, primarily in the form of holster and grip type wear. The grips are also very fine with a few scattered minor blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very good with some mild wear and dark staining, and the snap grommet detached from the body but still attached to the snap stud and included.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 15,000
roximately 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 5 November 1912 to the Brooklyn Navy Yard (“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 correct replacement 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 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 correct unmarked “keyhole” variant two-tone magazine with lanyard loop base. Barrel is a replacement marked “HS” and “P” on the lugs. Includes a leather, “1913” dated, U.S. marked, Rock Island Arsenal Model of 1912 holster numbered “107” (leg strap is absent).
CONDITION: Fine, retains 75% of the original blue finish with the replacement slide slightly more dull and the balance having mostly thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on high spots and the grip straps, and a small patch of dark deep pitting visible in front of the ejector port. The grips are very good with some scattered minor blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very good with mild wear and some cracking near the hanger.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
LOT 3537
Highly Desirable U.S. Navy Contract Colt Model 1911 Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Holster - Serial no. 11336, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
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 app
Collector’s Fact
Of the 578,473 Model 1911 pistols purchased for the U.S. Navy, only 15,037 were manufactured with a U.S. Navy slide legend.
282 Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500