Lot #3489
Lot #3491

Lot 3490: Rock Island Arsenal M15 Pistol 45 ACP

Documented Historic Brigadier General Issued Rock Island Arsenal M15 General Officer's Pistol with Paperwork, Display Case, General Officer's Belt, Holsters and Spare Magazine

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: April 24, 2015

Lot 3490: Rock Island Arsenal M15 Pistol 45 ACP

Documented Historic Brigadier General Issued Rock Island Arsenal M15 General Officer's Pistol with Paperwork, Display Case, General Officer's Belt, Holsters and Spare Magazine

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: April 24, 2015

Estimated Price: $4,000 - $7,000

Documented Historic Brigadier General Issued Rock Island Arsenal M15 General Officer's Pistol with Paperwork, Display Case, General Officer's Belt, Holsters and Spare Magazine

Manufacturer: Rock Island Arsenal
Model: M15
Type: Pistol
Gauge: 45 ACP
Barrel: 4 1/4 inch round
Finish: blue
Grip: walnut
Stock:
Item Views: 3911
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 166
Class: Modern Handgun
Description:

This is an excellent example of a U.S. Army M15 General Officer pistol complete with the General Officer's issue leather holster, magazine pouch, two M1911A1 magazines and cleaning equipment issued to a later Two Star General in 1980. These M15 pistols were manufactured by Rock Island Arsenal starting in the early 1970s through approximately 1985 when the US Army adopted the Beretta M9 pistol. They were manufactured by using a standard M1911A1 pistol, milling off old markings and then applying the new M15 markings; shortening the slide and barrel assembly to 4 1/4 inches and installing high profile sights. The left side of the slide is marked: "General Officer Model/RIA", and the right side of the frame is marked "Serial No. GO 251" above the grips. The grips are checkered walnut, and the right side is inlaid with a cast RIA Ordnance Corp emblem that consists of the "crossed-cannons" surrounded with a leather belt insignia that has "ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL" on the belt and the "Shell/Flame" and "Ordnance Bomb" at the top. The pistol has a highly polished blue finish on all the parts aside from the chrome plated barrel and the small silver name plate inset in the left grip. The magazines also have polished blue floor plates and are electro-penciled with the matching serial number on the lower left side. This specific M15 General Officer Pistol is listed in "The Colt U.S. General Officers' Pistol" by Horace Greeley IV p. 149 and is identified as having been issued in January of 1974. The included DD form 444, Inventory Adjustment Report from Rock Island Arsenal lists it as issued in January 1980. The General who owned this pistol wished to remain anonymous but did include a listing of his accomplishments. He served in WWII in the 100th Infantry Div, 399th Infantry Regiment. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge and Good Conduct Medal. He attended the Advanced Infantry School, Airborne School, Mountain Climbing School and the Command & General Staff College. This wonderful pistol includes a custom wood case hand crafted by the General with a plaque, the General's silver two star lapel pin, custom made general officer's belt, an open-top black leather holster with single strap marked on the back "BUCHEIMER, VALENCIA CALIF/CLARK, B16-74", a black leather double magazine pouch with brass fittings marked on the back: "U.S./DSA-100-69-C-1614", a steel and aluminum pistol cleaning rod, bore brush, cleaning patches, two bottles of LSA weapon oil and a bottle of bore cleaner. It also includes a set of stag/bone grips and one Bianchi M66 black leather holster with a reversible/detachable flap to accommodate the left handed General.

Rating Definition:

Excellent with 99% of the original arsenal blue finish overall with a hint of edge wear. The grips are also in excellent condition. The holsters, accessories and storage case are also all in excellent condition. This is an exceptional General Officer's M15 pistol complete with holsters and accessories.



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