Colt Transitional Model 1911 pistol manufactured and delivered to the Army in 1924. The Transition Model pistols are serial numbered between 700001 and 710000, having all the Model 1911A1 features although the right side of the slide is marked "MODEL OF 1911.U.S.ARMY". The pistol features a brush blue finish. Although the Transitional pistols were delivered to the Army, Springfield Research Service records show large numbers of these pistols were actually issued to the Navy. The left side of the frame directly below the slide stop is stamped with the early placement "WTG" (Walter T. Gorton) monogram in a circle utilized on only the first approximately 100 pistols. The left side of the slide has the Colt 1897-1913 patent dates in a two-line block, two-line Hartford address with the Rampant Colt in the center. The rear of the slide is marked with the "H" inspection mark above the firing pin stop. The top of the chamber is marked with a conjoined "H" "P," and the upper right side of the trigger guard is marked with a "60". The grips are the full checkered walnut. Low profile fixed sights, the trigger, slide stop, thumb safety, hammer and main spring housing are checkered, and two two-tone magazines. The accompanying factory letter verifies the Transition Model, caliber, barrel length, blue finish with the grips as "Not Listed" and that it was sold to the U.S. Government and shipped as 1 of 1,000 to Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts, on February 13, 1924. Special features state "Furnished with a new style trigger, grip safety and mainspring housing." The remarks state "Although these pistols are categorized in the Colt records as Model 1911 pistols, they are furnished with the Model 1911A1 improvements."

Very fine as professionally refurbished, with 99% of the blue finish remaining, showing a thin line of gray on the lower right side of the slide, dents on the left side of the trigger guard, the beginning of a gray patina along the edges and minor handling marks. The grips are excellent with some mild handling wear and sharp checkering. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent.