(C) REMARKABLE CONDITION COLT NEW NAVY DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER FACTORY INSCRIBED "J.E. OTTERSON

New Navy double action revolver manufactured by Colt in 1904. The left side of the barrel is stamped "COLT. D.A. 38", with Colt's 2-line address across the top. Left side of frame bears the encircled Rampant Colt logo. The rear of the grip strap is factory inscribed to "J.E. Otterson. U.S.N.", indicating presentation to John Edward Otterson. Otterson had a storied career, initially joining the U.S. Navy in 1900 and graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1904, which is quite possibly where this revolver originates from. After resigning from the Navy in 1915, Otterson joined the firearms industry, becoming President of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1922 and serving on the United States Council of Defense as a member of the Munitions Standards Board. Otterson moved into telecommunications, working his way up to the General Manager, Vice-President, and Director of Electrical Research Productions, Inc. (a subsidiary of Western Electrical Company) until 1935. He subsequently became President and Director of Paramount Pictures from 1935 to 1936. In 1941, Otterson was appointed Director of Ship Repair and Conversion for the U.S. Navy and the United States Maritime Commission. From 1942 to 1943, Otterson also served as President of the New Jersey Shipbuilding Corporation and East Coast Shipyards Inc., which built and provided landing craft and tankers for the United States Navy, with Otterson also appointed Chairman of the American Maritime Council, who were formed to make use of war surplus ships. Frame, cylinder, and barrel exhibit a lustrous high polish blue finish, with the trigger, hammer, frame screws, and grip screw being nitre blued. Frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered fleur-de-lis walnut grips. Matching assembly numbers are present on the frame, cylinder crane, cylinder release latch, and are hand-written in pencil on the interior of the grip panels. Colt factory letter indicates a 6" barrel, blued finish, checkered wood stocks, the aforementioned inscription, and that this example was the sole revolver shipped to Midshipman A. b. Court ("Address Unavailable") on January 30th of 1904. Also accompanying this revolver is a photo as well as research of John Edward Otterson, detailing his extensive career. CONDITION: Excellent, with metal components retaining the vast majority of their original factory blue finish, exhibiting some areas of mild wear and thinning that show through to pleasant brown and gray patinas, with some mild superifical marks from handling and storage overall. Brilliant mirror bore, exhibiting one small concentrated spot of pitting and sharp, well-defined rifling throughout. Grips are excellent, exhibiting modest smoothing to the checkering and a couple of minor marks from handling and storage. Desirable in condition alone, this example's storied history of its original owner makes for an exceptionally attractive and sought-after Colt New Navy. Accessories: Picture Box Barrel Length: 6" Caliber/Bore: .38 Colt FFL Status: Curio & Relic Manufacturer: Colt Model: New Navy Paperwork: Factory Letter, Research Serial Number: 223716