Outstanding and Rare Documented U.S. Navy Contract Colt Model 1900 "Sight Safety" Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter

Shipped on 19 October 1900, this Colt Model 1900 “sight safety” pistol is part of a rare second shipment of 50 pistols sent to the U.S. Government General Storekeeper at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Only 250 pistols were produced under this contract for the U.S. Navy in the fall of 1900, making them exceptionally scarce. These automatics represented the pinnacle of firearms technology at the time and were ordered to test the feasibility of the automatic pistol as a seafaring weapon.

The left side of the slide carries the two-line Browning’s Patent marking and two-line Colt address arranged in blocks, with the circled Rampant Colt following behind the rear serrations. The right side of the slide is marked Automatic Colt/Calibre 38 Rimless Smokeless. The right side of the frame bears the production serial number, and the left side carries the U.S. Navy inventory number “U.S.N. 70,” part of the sequence from U.S.N. 1–250. The left side of the trigger guard bears a “B” inside a triangle proof, while the right side features the trident Navy inspection mark. An import mark is visible inside the magazine well.

The pistol retains its original “sight safety” configuration with a blade front sight, notch rear sight, checkered spur hammer, smooth walnut grips, and a full nickel magazine stamped Pat’d Sept. 9, 1884 on the base. The factory letter confirms shipment to the U.S. Government on 17 October 1900, with a 6-inch barrel in .38 caliber and blue finish.