Make: Colt

Model: Model of 1911, U.S. Navy

Serial Number: 109642

Year of Manufacture: Shipped March 5, 1915 To U.S. Navy Yard, Brooklyn

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR.20.1897. SEPT.9.1902. / DEC.19.1905. FEB.14.1911. AUG.19.1913” and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.”, with a Rampant Colt logo at the rear of the slide. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U. S. NAVY”. The rear face of the slide is marked with a vertical, sans-serif “H” above the firing pin plate. The right side of the frame is marked “No 109642”. The left side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the dust cover. Behind the trigger on the left is a circled “GHS”. The flat on the top rear of the frame is marked “H” and “R” at the disconnector, the right rail at the feed ramp has a small diamond. The top of the barrel at the chamber has “P” and "H", the bottom is marked "5" in front of the lug.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a flat-top square notch dovetailed into the slide. The sights are not original to the gun

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The inside of the left panel is hand-carved "FJL", "4/18" and "1915". The grips have even light wear with some scattered nicks and scratches. There are tool marks around the screw heads. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 60% of its metal finish. There is heat discoloration around the front sight where the slide had the stake-hole welded to install the new sight. The finish is thinning at all edges. The grip areas show handling wear. There is scattered light oxidation, mostly in the grip areas, on the left and top of the slide. There is erosion and pitting on the frame under the grips. There is some other scattered light wear, nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a craft cardboard box with a single 7-round magazine which has a lanyard loop baseplate pinned to the body.

Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. This pistol was shipped in early March 1915 to the U.S. Navy Yard in Brooklyn, NY. The pistol is in Good-plus condition retaining about 60% of its blue finish with a decent bore and strong mechanics. The sights have been replaced with the stake-hole for the front sight on the slide having been welded to facilitate installation of the new sight. All in all, it is a nice example of a fairly early Navy Model 1911. This pistol will make a nice addition to a US Martial arms or Colt collection. Please see our photos and good luck!