OLD COLT: WE PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH AN ONLINE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR OLD COLT GUNS.
This Colt M1911 was shipped to the Brooklyn Naval Yard on October 25th, 1912. This pistol retains it's factory original blue finish with 15 rows of checkering on it's walnut grips.
The slide is marked on the right side "MODEL OF 1911. U.S. NAVY" with Roman style font with serif's. The left hand side of the slide lacks the 1913 patent date which would be added later in production. Note the rampant Colt inside the circle on the rear left side of the slide.
The rear sight is the early style being rounded. This would change in the future to a flat top rear sight around serial number 60,000. The barrel is an early Colt stamped with an horizontal H with serifs on the hood.
The Serial number on this pistol is located near the grips on the right side of the frame.
The hammer is the early short Colt that were used from the first of production until roughly serial number 89,800. The thumb safety is the earliest version as well that was used up until 1914.
This pistol is inspected by Major Walter G. Penfield (WGP) just above the magazine release on the left hand side of the frame. Major Penfield was the inspector of ordnance from January 2nd, 1911 - September 30th, 1914.
