TGexas Star: The USMC version of the M 1909 did indeed have a birds head butt, and the grips were checkered rather than smooth. The different shape to the butt required a different forging, for a rather small run of pistols (I think somewheer around 1000).

A friend interested in USMC history told me that he could find no record, either at HQ USMC or Colt, of there ever having been a specification submitted for the pistol, or for Colt ever having billed for the guns or receiving payment!! Interesting, if it's true.