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

This 1924 Colt M1911 is offered as a pistol only and is an excellent example of the transition model. Complete with the era–correct barrel. This M1911, a semi-automatic pistol, was part of a contract awarded to Colt to produce 10,000 pistols. It is reported that the serial range is 700,001 – 710,000. This is confirmed by the WTG “Walter T Gordon” inspection mark. It is known the first 2,000 transition models saw a single circled WTG, this one showing the double circle. This transition model saw improvements of the 1911A1, before the A1 was an actual designation. Those improvements being a 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 M1911 is finished in Colt’s oil-fired oven blue finish and still shows well-polished overall. The single magazine finish is in blue, two-toned, where the top third is left “in the white.” Small areas of silvering can be seen near the muzzle and small areas of spotted surface rust near the main spring housing and front of the grip.

The muzzle shows some holster wear and thinning of the finish, the edges are still sharp, and minimal superficial marks are noted in this area. Overall, the bore is in good condition considering its age, showing grey with sharp rifling. The barrel markings are consistent with that of a 1924 transition model showing both the “HP” and dissembled shows the K under the barrel lug.

Slide lock, safety, and hammer spur, and trigger all show sharp knurling throughout, the mainspring shows some silvering near the butt. 

The markings throughout the pistol read clear, on the right side of the slide “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY” and on the right side of the frame “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” Serial number: “705384”. The WTG in double circle can be seen behind the trigger on the left side of the frame. On the left side of the slide the Colts patent, the rampant pony, and Colts Manufacturing Marks can be seen with a small rash near the Pony. 

The grips are transition grips that show dark walnut, sharp checkering through most of both sides of the grip with some rounding near the bottom. The magazine baseplate shows spotted surface rust that continues through the butt of the pistol.  

Disassembled the internals show clean. The Slide shows “O” and “G” inspection marks along with H on the outside above the firing pin. The frame shows the “H” near the magazine well and “G” near the right side.