Colt Model 1909 US Navy Double Action .45 Revolver

[varifleman]

Here for your perusal is my Colt .45DA Model 1909 USN revolver Colt serial number 53002 (1911 production date) USN serial number 1002. Looking forward to shooting it and getting the Colt Archive letter. The Colt New Service Model 1909 revolver was developed by Colt to fill a contract from the U.S. Government for use in the Philippines where a large caliber handgun was needed. The development on the Colt 1911 auto had not been completed and a heavy caliber revolver filled the need for a couple of years. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps both liked the new 1909 and each ordered a small quantity with the navy being the smallest at only 1100 guns. In addition to the USN/Anchor/serial number stamped on butt strap also note the "N" on the back of the cylinder and on the bottom right of frame which denote a US Navy contract revolver.

[varifleman]

A few more photos:

[varifleman]

more detailed photos:

[Dfariswheel]

There wasn't much of a development by Colt.
The military needed a stopgap hand gun for use until the 1911 auto was ready, so Colt simply stamped US government stamps on commercial New Service revolvers.

The 1909 must have been a huge relief to the military after the Colt New Army & Navy .38 Long Colt and the refurbished Colt Single Action Army rushed to the Philippines.
They got a much stronger double action then the New Army & Navy, but with the proven and hard hitting .45 Colt cartridge.

Some in the military would have liked to stick with the Model 1909, being unsure about the new automatic.
They worried about the new 1911 being a "two piece gun" of the gun and the magazine.
They were worried that if the magazine was lost the gun would be useless.
The idea of having more magazines and making them readily available took a long time.

[Sarge]

That is a fantastic old 1909. Do you shoot it?

[varifleman]

Looking forward to shooting it in the spring when weather warms up and will post range report. Here's a box of 20 rounds of .45 Long Colt made by Frankford Arsenal PA dated 7 January 1914.

[varifleman]

I have modern production .45 Long Colt for this revolver and another box of Frankford Arsenal ammo to show period round for this revolver.

[varifleman]

Under the grips are “JH,” “N” and “4” stamps; "N" for Navy contract, "JH" and "4"inspector's initials and number?

[Ed4032]

I’ve got a US Army 1909. The navy ones are pretty rare. Very nice!!!

[rc]

I still kick myself for not buying a 1916 1911 with leather holster and extra magazines for $600 in the mid 90s..... Was a lot of money for a struggling college student but that would be a song today for an original colt