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LOT 1464
Highly Desirable Documented U.S. Rock Island Arsenal M15 General Officers Semi- Automatic Pistol with Belts, Holster, and Magazines - Serial no. GO617, 45 ACP cal., 4
1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is a desirable documented example of a U.S. Army issue M15 General Officer pistol. The M15 pistols were manufactured solely by Rock Island Arsenal
starting in the early 1970s through approximately 1985 when the US Army adopted the Beretta M9 pistol. An included handwritten note from Robert M. Bohm states that this specific pistol was issued to his father, Brigadier General Jack N. Bohm.
Jack Bohm joined the army as a private in 1942, serving in 10th Armored Division, 132nd Armored Battalion, which was part of General George S. Patton’s Third Army. Bohm was awarded a Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit, later attending law school
and returning to the army as a JAG officer and working up through the ranks to brigadier general. As brigadier general, he served as Chief Judge of the U.S. Army Court of Military Review and Commander of the Army Legal Services Agency. These
pistols were fabricated by using a standard M1911A1 pistol, milling off old markings and then applying the new markings and shortening the slide and barrel assembly to 4 1/2 inches, installing a high profile front and rear sight, serrated mainspring housing,
and the National Match style checkered front grip strap. The left side of the slide is marked with “General Officer Model/RIA”, and “Serial No. GO 617” is on the right side of the frame above the grips. The grips are checkered walnut, and the right side has a cast Rock Island
Arsenal ordnance emblem, while the left grip panel is inlaid with a blank silver name plate. The pistol has a highly polished blue finish on most the parts, the barrel is chrome plated, and it is furnished with a full blue magazine hand marked “617” on the right side. Includes the
previously mention note from Brigadier General Bohm’s son, a Rock Island Arsenal list of included accoutrements, a black leather general officer belt and holster, an additional general officer belt in a plain box with government style markings, and two extra magazines.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the original blue finish with a few scattered very light handling marks. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The accessories are all excellent with minimal wear and handling evidence, and the box is fine with two corners of the lid separated. A desirable, documents U.S. Rock Island Arsenal M15 General Officers pistol!
Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
LOT 1465
Scarce Marlow White/Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie. “President Bush” Pattern Gold-Blue Saber with Eagle Head Pommel and Scabbard - The included July 14, 2015, letter from Marlow White President Timothy J. Cahill explains: “In 2004, Texas A&M University desired to present special gifts to both President George W. Bush and his father President George H.W. Bush -- sabers styled after the US Army’s historic General Officer Saber, but with the Texas A&M University etch on the blades and with the sabers created in what we term the ‘gold-blue’ style.” They also note that in addition to the sabers presented to the presidents, only two others were made in 2004. One kept by WKC, and one owned by Lawrence M. Watson of Harlingen, Texas. An article by Watson in the October 2006 issue of “Military Trader” on these swords is also included providing further background. He indicates the order for these swords came through Robert Forrest of Bryan Surplus in College Station, Texas, where Texas A&M is located and also where the elder Bush made his home and established his presidential library and museum. Bryan
Surplus were the distributors for A&M sabers for their corps of cadets. He indicated George H.W. Bush had received his by that time, but that due to the events of September 11, 2001, then President George W. Bush had not yet been to College Station to receive his. He may have received it subsequently when he gave a commencement speech in 2008. After learning about
these special presidential presentation swords, Watson ordered one himself, this sword, which differs only in having the U.S. Army etching instead of the Texas A&M etching. He notes “The presentation-grade saber with the eagle’s head in the author’s collection will likely not be manufactured again.”The sword has a 30 inch, lightly curved blade finished in gold with 16 inch panels of etching with niter blued backgrounds, WKC maker’s mark on the left, and the six-pointed star on the right. The gilt brass hilt has an eagle head pommel, floral patterns, and an imitation shagreen grip. The scabbard has gilt fittings with floral scroll patterns and a nickel body. A light blue “US Army Officer Sword/Blade Size - 30 inch” marked WKC sword bag is
also included.
CONDITION: Excellent overall with minimal light handling and storage wear such as some fading of the gold wash on the scabbard and slightly discolored grip.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
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