This is a beautiful example of an original, very early Colt "transitional" Model 1911A1 pistol as manufactured in 1924. This specific pistol is accompanied by a Colt factory letter dated June 2013, which states that this pistol was in a shipment of 1000 pistols shipped to the US Government/Springfield Armory in Feb 1924 and also stipulates that these pistols were all shipped with the new M 1911A1 improvements. These transitional models fall into the serial number range of 700,001-710.000 and were a fairly short production model that was the start of the M 1911A1 pistol as adopted by the U.S. Army. The pistols retained the M 1911 slide markings but were produced with the improvements/modifications: (1) extended grip safety tang, (2) knurled and arched mainspring housing, (3) radius clearance cuts machined into the frame behind the trigger, (4) cut back trigger with a knurled face and (5) wider front sight blade. The slide is stamped with the Colt two-line, two-block, Colt 1897-1913 patent dates, followed by the factory address with the Rampant Colt logo between the two blocks, with the right side roll-stamped: "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY", and the slide is correctly not numbered on the rear. The right side of the frame is stamped "UNITED STATES PROPERTY/No 701655" with the left side stamped with the U.S. Ordnance, inspector's initials "WTG". The top of the frame is stamped with an "H" provisional inspection mark along with a "G" government production order mark. This early pistol is fitted with an early post WWI Springfield Armory manufactured barrel that is correctly stamped with "S" and "P", proof marks on the right side of the barrel lug. It is fitted with the early, correctly checkered slide stop, checkered thumb safety, arched and checkered main spring housing and the wide spur hammer. The pistol has the brush military blue finish and is fitted with the full-checkered walnut grips as adopted in 1924 and is complete with one half-tone blued magazine, with a small letter "L" on the front lip of the base plate.

Very fine condition with 85% plus of the blued finish overall with edge and high spot wear with minor spotting on the slide with some minor scratches on the front grip strap. There is a noticeable patch of pitting on the top rear of slide. The walnut grips are fine with nice distinct checkering mixed in with minor wear across the tops of the checkering and some minor handling marks. A fine early example of an original U.S. Colt M1911A1 pistol