Lot 1258

1912 Produced U.S. Navy Contract Colt M1911 Pistol Number "737"

Previous image preload Next image preload

1912 Produced U.S. Navy Contract Colt M1911 Pistol Number "737"

Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000

Starting Bid: $13,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Desirable 1912 First Year Production, First Shipment, Three-Digit Serial Number "737" U.S. Navy Contract Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol Manufactured in 1912, the first official year of production for the U.S. military contract Colt Model 1911 pistols, with this three-digit example, number "737", being from the U.S. Navy contract and falling within the range of the first shipment of 500 pistols (serial numbers 501 to 1,000) sent to the U.S. Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York, on March 7, 1912, as shown in the table on page 158 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols: 1894-1920" by Meadows. A total of only 15,037 Colt Model 1911 pistols were manufactured with the desirable "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. NAVY" roll-mark on the slide, which was discontinued in April 1915 in favor for the standard U.S. Army nomenclature, of which there were approximately 578,473 manufactured, making the navy marked variation comparatively very scarce. It has fixed rounded blade front and notch rear (modified replacement) sights, the two-line Colt patent dates and address in two block on the left of the slide followed with a circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations, the U.S. Navy model designation on the right of the slide, a blued barrel marked "3" on the underside and "H" on the rear of the chamber hood, the U.S property marking and circled "WGP" inspection monogram on the left of the frame, and the early "No." prefix serial number (discontinued around serial number 4,501) on the right of the frame. Fitted with a long smooth trigger, a magazine catch with the early dimpled head retaining screw, checkered slide catch and thumb safety along with a wide spur hammer, a flat smooth mainspring housing with a lanyard loop on the base, a pair of "double diamond" pattern checkered walnut grips, and a blued magazine with a "keyhole" cut at the rear of the feed lips and a pinned lanyard loop floor plate.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1911

BBL: 5 inch round

Gauge: 45 ACP

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial Number737

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection
  • Condition: Fine, retaining 60% plus original blue finish with smooth brown and grey patina on the balance, minor patches of oxidation, some small specks of pitting, light scrapes, moderate wear, and clear markings. The grips are also fine with a marred top right grip screw and some mild wear to the well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. Overall an attractive original example of a three-digit serialized U.S. Navy contract Colt M1911 pistol from the first shipment!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Rock Island Auction will contact you shortly after the auction has completed. We will arrange for shipping and or pickup.

Rock Island Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000