Lot 231

U.S. Colt Transitional Model 1911/1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol

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U.S. Colt Transitional Model 1911/1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol

Estimate: $2,250 - $3,500

Starting Bid: $1,900

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Scarce and Desirable U.S. Colt Transitional Model 1911/1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol Manufactured in 1924, this is a highly desirable example of a Colt Transitional Model 1911/1911A1 pistol. Starting in September of 1920, the Ordnance Board began to make suggestions for modifications to the Model 1911 pistol based on experience from World War I, and by April of 1923 OCM Item 2890 was standardized and recommended by the department. A pilot series of 10,000 pistols was approved with some production issues arising throughout 1923, but by January 1924 the first "Improved Models" were being delivered and were also known as the Transitional Model 1911s. While they retained the nomenclature markings of the 1911, they were equipped with the signature features of the 1911A1 which included the dished frame sides, shortened trigger, elongated grip safety, and arched mainspring housing. The left of the slide is marked with the two-line, two-block patent dates and address separated by the Rampant Colt, while the right has the "MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY" marking. The right side of the slide is also faintly scratched with "DM/5-8-81/12:52 PM". The right of the frame has the U.S. property marking over the serial number while the left has the circled "WTG" monogram of Walter T. Gordon. The right of the trigger guard is marked "51". The blued barrel is marked with a conjoined "HP" on the chamber hood. It is fitted with a checkered slide stop and thumb safety, short checkered trigger (faint marks on the right from a trigger shoe having once been installed), arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard loop at the base, blade front and flat top notch rear sights, an unmarked two-tone magazine, and a pair of correct fully checkered walnut grips.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1911

BBL: 5 inch round

Gauge: 45 ACP

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial Number708560

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Fine, retains 70% of the original blue finish with some light edge and handling wear and some scattered small patches of light pitting, mostly on the right front of the slide. The worn grips are very good with a few minor flat spots, some scattered minor handling marks, and otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000