Starting in September 1920, U.S. Ordnance began to compile a list of suggested modifications for the Model 1911 pistol based on end user experiences from World War I. These modifications centered around ergonomic improvements to the design, including dished frame sides near the trigger, shortened trigger shoe, elongated grip safety, and an arched mainspring housing. By April 1923, OCM Item 2890 was standardized and recommended by the U.S. Ordnance Department. A pilot series of 10,000 pistols was approved, with some production issues arising throughout 1923, but by January 1924 the first examples were being delivered. Known as the "Transitional" Model 1911s, the design changes they incorporated resulted in the venerable Model 1911A1 of World War II and Cold War era fame, though they retained the Model 1911 nomenclature. Features fixed blade front and flat top notch rear sights, the two-line, two-block patent dates and address separated by the Rampant Colt marked on the left of the slide, while the right has the "MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY" marking. The right of the frame has the U.S. property marking over the serial number, while the left has the circled "WTG" monogram (Walter T. Gordon). The right of the trigger guard is marked "60". The blued barrel is marked with a conjoined "HP" on the non-factory polished chamber hood. Fitted with a checkered slide stop and thumb safety, short checkered trigger, arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard loop at the base, an "A" marked two-tone magazine, and a pair of correct fully checkered walnut grips. The included Charles W. Pate of U.S. Army Research letter lists this pistol by serial number as sold by the Benicia Arsenal in California to a Lt. (JG) Robert H. Solier on January 19, 1939, for personal use at a price of $27.97. The letter also includes detail of a September 29, 1953, correspondence between the Legal Officer Lt. Robert Whzeshski of U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, California, and the Commanding Officer of Benicia Arsenal, inquiring if Solier (then a captain), who no longer wanted the pistol, could sell it back to the U.S. Army, or if not, the legal validity of selling it to other military personal. The request was forwarded to the U.S. Army Chief of Ordnance's office, which sent a response back to the China Lake Legal Officer stating "the Department of the Army does not desire to repurchase [the] weapon." and refereed to paragraphs 2c (1) AR45-75 and 8 AR 45-75 in regards to Solier's title to the pistol and his ability to dispose of it. Robert H. Solier (1909-1998) attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating with the class of 1933, before serving aboard the battleship U.S.S. New York (BB-34) that same year, then the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Tuscaloosa (CA-37) until 1938, and destroyer U.S.S Tucker (DD-375) until 1939, before being assigned to Naval Proving Ground at Dahlgren, where he was stationed on December 7, 1941. By 1942, then Lt. Comdr. Solier was assigned to the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Augusta (CA-31), where he served as Assistant Plans Officer. Solier was on the commander’s staff of the Western Task Force in June 1944 during the D-Day landings, where U.S.S. Augusta acted as Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk’s flagship with Lt. General Omar Bradley aboard, for which Solier earned a Bronze Star and the French Croix de Guerre. In August 1944, Lt. Comdr. Solier was transferred to the fast battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin (BB-64) where he served as Gunnery Officer for the remainder of the war. After World War II, Solier spent time as Naval Inspector of Ordnance in Rochester, New York, before taking command of the destroyer U.S.S. James E. Kyes (DD-787) in 1950 just before the outbreak of the Korean War, during which Solier was in command when the ship took part in landing the 1st Cavalry Division ashore at Pohang. After the Korean War, then Capt. Solier briefly served as the Commanding Officer of China Lake in 1953, during which time he inquired about the disposal of his Transitional Model. It is unknown who Solier sold the pistol to at the time, but it was very likely a fellow U.S. military officer given the provisions outlined in the correspondence. Solier later retired in 1960 on the Rear Admiral's list. Also included with the pistol is a 1946 hard cover U.S.S. Wisconsin calendar book embossed "UNITED STATES SHIP/WISCONSIN" on the cover and featuring pictures of the crew (including Solier in the center of the second photo on page 7), a hardcover U.S. Naval Academy year book for the class of 1933 dubbed "LUCKY BAG" with Solier's section on page 267, and copies of research on Solier's naval career. Transitional Model 1911/1911A1 pistols are highly sought after by collectors to begin with given their scarcity, but few are as storied as this example, which would undoubtedly be a highlight addition to any advanced U.S. military or Colt collection. Provenance: Rear Admiral Robert H. Solier; Michael P. Dolfi; Property of a Gentleman

Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% plus original blue finish with minor edge wear, thinning focused near the slide serrations and mainspring housing, along with minor holster pattern wear, minor spotting and brown patina on the grip frame, and a takedown line on the frame. Grips are very fine with a small scuff in the right panel and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Included artifacts are very fine. An exceptionally high condition example of a Transitional Model 1911/1911A1 considering its previous ownership by a storied U.S. naval officer.