Colt Model 1911 U.S. Navy .45 ACP 5 Inch Semi Automatic Pistol, Manufactured 1912 C&R
Archival record: Specifications and condition reflect the firearm as listed at the time of auction.
Final Auction Price: $5,450.00
Manufactured during the first full year of Model 1911 production, this Colt U.S. Navy pistol represents an important early chapter in the history of America’s most recognizable military handgun. Serial number 6727 was shipped on October 5, 1912, to the General Storekeeper at the U.S. Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York, as documented by an accompanying Colt Archives letter. Chambered in .45 ACP, this early military example retains its original blue finish with areas of later cold blue touch up, distinctive diamond checkered walnut grips, and a two tone lanyard loop magazine. Showing substantial wear consistent with its age, the pistol remains a historically significant example of the original military Model 1911.
Identification
MMA#: 260314MH003
Make: Colt
Model: Model of 1911 U.S. Navy
Serial Number: 6727
Year of Manufacture: 1912
Shipping Date: October 5, 1912
Original Destination: General Storekeeper, U.S. Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi Automatic Pistol with Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: 5 Inches
Classification: Curio & Relic
Sights / Optics
The pistol retains the early Model 1911 sight configuration.
The front sight is a short, rounded blade fixed to the slide.
The rear sight is a round top design with a U shaped notch, dovetailed into the slide.
These small, low profile sights are characteristic of the original military Model 1911 design.
Grip Configuration & Condition
The grips are two piece checkered walnut panels featuring the distinctive smooth diamonds surrounding the grip screw escutcheons.
Both panels exhibit general handling wear, surface marks, wear around the screw holes, and several damaged checkers.
There are no chips or cracks.
Overall grip condition: Very Good.
Finish & Overall Condition
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original with Areas of Later Cold Blue Touch Up
This pistol retains slightly more than 50 percent of its metal finish.
The top of the slide, mainspring housing, front strap, and trigger guard exhibit substantial finish loss, with areas worn to gray metal. Evidence of cold blue treatment is present on the top of the slide and grip straps.
The edges have also worn toward gray, while the grip straps and trigger guard exhibit extensive brown discoloration.
Scattered nicks, dings, scratches, and areas of light pitting are present throughout.
The slide serrations remain sharp. The hammer and safety knurling exhibit only light wear, while the slide stop and magazine release retain well defined knurling.
A visible takedown mark and associated surface wear are present from previous disassembly and reassembly.
The grip screws show wear, but the pistol’s markings remain clear.
A very small crack is present in the breech face.
Overall condition: Fair Plus.
Bore & Mechanics
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. Erosion and stubborn fouling are present, primarily within the grooves.
In the original evaluator’s opinion, the bore rates 5 out of 10.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly during mechanical evaluation, apart from the noted breech face crack.
The small crack in the breech face is a significant condition concern and should be evaluated by a qualified gunsmith before any consideration of firing.
The pistol was not test fired.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories
Included are:
One two tone pinned magazine with lanyard loop
Colt Archives letter documenting the pistol’s original shipment
Our Assessment
The Colt Model 1911 is among the most historically significant American military firearms of the twentieth century. Designed by John Moses Browning and formally adopted by the United States Army in 1911, the pistol introduced a combination of short recoil operation, single action trigger, and .45 ACP chambering that would influence handgun design for generations. The original Model 1911 and its later M1911A1 successor remained standard American military sidearms for decades, serving through both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and numerous other conflicts.
This example is particularly noteworthy for its 1912 manufacture and documented U.S. Navy shipment. Serial number 6727 was shipped on October 5, 1912, to the General Storekeeper at the U.S. Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York. The accompanying Colt Archives letter establishes an important connection to the earliest period of military Model 1911 procurement, when the pistol was still a relatively new addition to the American armed forces.
Early production details contribute to its historical character. The pistol features the original style rounded front sight, U notch rear sight, diamond checkered walnut grips, and a two tone pinned magazine with lanyard loop. These elements reflect the appearance and equipment associated with the Model 1911 before the design changes that would eventually distinguish the M1911A1.
Condition reflects substantial age and wear. Slightly more than 50 percent of the metal finish remains, with areas of cold blue touch up, scattered pitting, and a bore rated 5 out of 10. A small crack in the breech face is an important mechanical defect that must be considered when evaluating the pistol. Nevertheless, its clear markings, surviving early features, and documented shipping history preserve much of its historical interest.
For collectors of American military firearms, this Colt offers a tangible connection to the opening years of the Model 1911’s service history. Its significance rests primarily in its early production date, U.S. Navy association, and Colt Archives documentation, making it an interesting surviving example of the pistol that would become one of America’s most enduring military designs.
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Every firearm featured in the Mt. McCoy Auctions Vault is professionally photographed, carefully cataloged, and thoroughly documented to preserve its history and condition. Our archival records provide collectors with detailed information regarding originality, condition, mechanical function, and historical significance, creating a lasting resource long after each auction has concluded.
