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LOT 3461
Exceptional Documented U.S. Navy Contract Colt
Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 97518, 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 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: U.S. Navy”, as listed in the included factory letter,
which also confirms the current configuration (grips not listed). 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 later production replacement brushed blue barrel is marked “P H” on the chamber hood and “5” on the bottom in front of the lug. 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 a blade front sight and a later, period replacement, flat top notch rear sight, 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 an unmarked two-tone magazine with lanyard loop base. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus of the original brushed blue military finish with some light edge wear, mild wear on the mainspring housing, some light speckling on the front strap, and a couple patches of light dings on the right of the frame and slide. The grips are very fine with some mild wear at the bottom of the right panel, a few scattered light handling marks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An exceptional U.S. Navy contract Colt Model 1911 for your collection!
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Provenance: Richard Peters, USMC, Reserves Law Enforcement, a Gentleman.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000