Colt M1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Transition Model No Reserve

This Colt M1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Transition Model is a Semi-Automatic pistol chambered in .45 ACP. The Transition model started production in January 1924, and the final pistols in the contract were delivered in July 1924. This production run included Serial numbers 700,001 –710,000. Colt’s contract was to improve the original production design of 1911, with the known differences in what is referred to after as the M1911A1. Those being shorter trigger, finger relief cutouts behind the trigger, longer grip safety, a shortened hammer spur, a wider front sight, a new arched main spring housing, and the grips were simplified to eliminate the “double diamond” reliefs in the checkered grips. 

This U.S. Army M1911 is finished in Colt’s oil-fired oven blue and shows strong throughout the pistol, showing some signs of wear that is to be expect of 100-year-old military side arm. Minimal holster wear and high edge wear makes this a notable example of a transitional model. The most noticeable detraction being some marring under the slide stop, and some thinning on the front strap. 

The markings on this 1924 Transition 1911 are as follows; The left side of the slide is marked with Colt’s patent and address in two lines separated by the rampant colt. “PATENTED APR. 20, 1897. SEPT.9.1902” “DEC.19,1905 FEB. 14,1911. AUG.19,1913” & “COLT’S PT.F.A.MFG.CO” “HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” Under the slide stop a circled “WTG” for Walter T. Gorton. The right side of the slide wears “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY” and the frame in front of the grip wears “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” “NO 702166” 

Other markings that can be found on this Transitional model, are an “H” on the slide above the firing pin stop, internally a “G” & “H” near the disconnector. The barrel is marked with a vertically placed “H” & “P” on the hood, and a “5” near the lug 

The walnut grips are without double diamond reliefs and are in good condition, they show most of their wear near the bottom’s edges, and chip on the left side near the front strap.  

The magazine included is two tones, the top half in white and the bottom half in blue.

Overall this is a notable example of a hard to come by transitional model 1911. This would be the perfect addition to Colt Collectors focusing on notable m1911 models, or those looking for unique additions to their pre-war collections.