This paper briefly reviews the current "ions in a sea of electrons" model of metallic structure. Limitations of the model are stated. Properties not explained by the model are accounted for by an alternative model. Simple equations derived from this model can calculate the densities, resistivities, enthalpies of the Mx+ ions and coefficients of expansion of transition metals showing good agreement with experimental values. The alternative model is used to account for the ferro-magnetic properties of iron, cobalt and nickel and demonstrate why other transition metals are not magnetic but some lanthanides are magnetic. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.