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LOT 366
Highly Desirable Documented Prototype U.S. Rock Island Arsenal Model 1970/M15 General Officers Semi-Automatic Pistol as Pictured in “The Colt U.S. General Officer’s Pistol” by Horace Greeley with Case and a Copy of the Book - Serial no. 852374, 45 ACP cal., 4 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. In late 1969, Dale W. Hoffman
was Superintendent
of Small Arms,
Machinery, and
Plating at the Rock
Island Arsenal.
Hoffman had noticed
that a shortage of the Colt “Model M” or Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless pistols had arisen, the pistols that had been issued as general officers pistols since World War II. At his own expense, Hoffman made and submitted a prototype, and unsolicited proposal, of what would eventually become the U.S. Model M15 General Officer pistol. The proposal made its way all the way to Washington before the project was approved. Initially, three prototypes were built using re-purposed Model 1911/1911A1 and Government Model parts, one of which received a blue finish, and the other two a chrome finish. All three of those prototypes were believed to have been used up in government testing against candidates from Colt, Smith & Wesson, and Walther. In April of 1972, a request was made for six more prototypes, all of which are believed to have received the blue finish and fairly standard markings, after the chrome finish was rejected. This
specific pistol appears to be one of those six
prototypes and appears to be pictured on p. 164 of “The Colt U.S. General Officer’s Pistol” by Horace Greeley, where it, or a nearly identical prototype is pictured on a peg board along with the other potential candidates
at Rock Island Arsenal. This pistol or one similar is again pictured on p.
165 with its competitors, and again on p. 166 by itself. The pistol is not identified by serial number, but shares all the visible markings and features that this pistol has. The left side of the slide is marked “General Officers Pistol/Model 1970”. The right side of the frame shows faint U.S. property and Model 1911A1 markings, as well as a restamped serial number. It is fitted with a flat topped blade front sight, just like the pictured example, and high notch rear sight. The grips are checkered walnut with an inset R.I.A. badge in the right panel, and the left panel lacking the polished nameplate which was added in standard production. Unlike the standard production pistols which received a matte black finish on the top of the
LOT 367
slide, this example has a complete, high polish blue finish. Includes a hardwood presentation style case with brass plaque on the lid marked “R.I.A.” and brass plaque inside the lid marked “General Officers Pistol/Rock Island Arsenal Prototype/Model 1970”. The interior of the case is fitted for the pistol and lined in dark green velvet. Also included is a copy of the above referenced book by Greeley.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as a rare Rock Island Arsenal prototype, it retains 99% plus of the bright, high polish arsenal blue finish and most of the gold fill in the slide markings with only the slightest handling marks. The grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is also excellent with only the slightest handling/storage marks. A rare opportunity to own an extremely scarce prototype of the desirable U.S. M15 General Officer pistol!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE COLT U.S. GENERAL OFFICER'S PISTOL BY GREELEY
Documented U.S. Army Issued SIG
Sauer M17 Semi-Automatic Pistol with
Box - Serial no. TF001645, 9 mm Luger cal.,
4 3/4 inch round bbl., ion bond finish, plastic grips.
In January 2017 it was announced that SIG Sauer had won the
highly competitive U.S. Military Modular Handgun System (MHS)
contract to replace the Beretta M9 as the standard U.S. military
sidearm, and later that year the U.S. Army announced the 101st
and 82nd Airborne divisions were to be the first units to receive the M17. Only 3,000
of these pistols were returned to SIG Sauer for sale on the commercial market. The M17
is a variant of the SIG Sauer 320 modular pistol and integrates an ambidextrous thumb safety to the modular fire control unit. Features illuminated night sights, optics mounting
point on the slide, “+P” weight recoil spring, and coyote tan metal and polymer finish. A sticker
numbering the pistol “9” is adhered to the bottom of the frame ahead of the trigger guard. The
grip unit is marked size “M.” The shipping box is a numbered match to the pistol and identifies it
as “UDM17-9-SURPLUS” and contains two extra magazines, a standard weight recoil spring, cable lock, and papers.
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An included Freedom of Information Act letter from the Department of Defense states this pistol was received by B Co., 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on December 18, 2017. On May 6, 2019, the pistol was turned in to the United States Army Tank Automotive and Armaments
Command in Warren, Michigan.
CONDITION: Very fine overall, with 95% plus of the original finish retained. Includes several wear marks, scratches, and darkening of the finish from apparent extensive field use by the 101st Airborne in the hand and in a holster. The grip frame also has darkening and wear to from use in the field, along with wear and scratches to the textures portions of the grip. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250