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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
LOT 1437
Exceptionally Fine U.S. Navy Marked Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 109751, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This pistol was manufactured in 1915 as part of a lot of 500 pistols for the U.S. Navy. These pistols were shipped from Colt to the Brooklyn Navy Yard on March 5, 1915, for issue to the Naval Militia. They were the last Navy contract Colt Model 1911 pistols with the distinctive marking. “MODEL OF 1911 U.S. NAVY” on the right side of the slide. The left side of the slide is roll- stamped with the Colt 1897-1913 patent dates in a two-line block followed by the Colt legend and Hartford address in two lines. The Rampant Colt trademark is roll-stamped behind the left slide serration. The serial number, “No 109751” is stamped on the right side of the frame behind the slide stop hole. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped: “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” ahead of the trigger guard. The frame and slide markings utilize Roman style (serif ) letters. The Ordnance final inspection mark which consists
of the initials “GHS” (Maj. Gilbert H. Stewart) in a round monogram is stamped above the magazine release. The “H” provisional inspection mark is stamped on the top of the frame in front of the disconnector hole, on the end of the slide above the slide stop and on the top of the barrel chamber. A “P” proofmark is stamped on the top of the chamber below the “H”. The “P” and “H” marks are both oriented perpendicular to the axis of the bore. The pistol has the second style recoil spring guide adopted in 1915, first style firing pin stop, 1911 style slide stop, 1914 style safety lock with thick thumb-piece and machine cut and long hammer
with rounded rear edge. The two-tone magazine has the flat base adopted in late 1915. The pistol has the deep blue “dull
finish” adopted in early 1912 and utilized until 1917. The two-piece, oil-finished walnut grips are checkered with diamonds surrounding the stock screws. The pistol is accompanied by two full-blue WWII magazines.
CONDITION: Very good plus. The pistol is all original and retains 90% plus of the original blue finish overall. The finish wear
is concentrated on the grip strap where the blue has thinned to a blue gray patina. There is light holster wear on the edges
of the slide and frame. The sides of the slide and frame have some minor scratches and handling marks. Most of the wear is
located below the slide stop. The stocks are in excellent condition with a few insignificant bruises and handling marks. The
slide and frame markings are sharp. The magazine is in very good condition and retains 80% of the two-tone finish. This is a
very fine example of a highly desirable U.S. Navy marked U.S. contract Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol.
Estimate: 15,000 - 22,500
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