Rock Island Arsenal RIA Model M15 GO General Officer’s Pistol .45 ACP, 1977
SOLD FOR: $6,224.00
LSB#: LSB260512SH005
Make: Rock Island Arsenal
Model: M15, General Officer’s Pistol
Serial Number: GO 588
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 4 1/4″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed 1/8″ square blade, Arsenal-made quick-draw style blade. The rear sight is a fixed square-notch sight dovetailed to the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece, sharply checkered, oil-finished walnut Herrett stocks. Rock Island Arsenal started with standard Herrett’s stocks, but the left was inlet for a metal plate (should the General wish to have their name marked on the gun, this example is marked) and the right was inlet for a Rock Island Arsenal escutcheon. The frontstrap was also checkered by Rock Island Arsenal in the National Match style for additional grip. The top of the right panel was relieved by Rock Island Arsenal so that it would not obscure the serial marking. The grips have minor handling wear. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Deep blue with polished slide and frame flats and a matte-finish on rounded portions. Chrome-plated National Match aluminum trigger and chrome-plated National Match barrel.
Finish Originality: Original to assembly by Rock Island Arsenal
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish is deep and strong throughout. There are a few scattered minor marks and some light operational wear. The polished and matte surfaces remain attractive and distinct. There is infrequent edge-thinning. There is minor freckling on the unfinished sides of the hammer. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has both a manual and grip safety and the trigger pull is crisp. The slide has nominal play to the frame. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a black leather General Officer’s belt with gold-plated General Officer buckle, black leather thumb-snap holster, black leather two-magazine pouch with brass hardware, military helmet, total of three magazines, a copy of Horace Greeley IV’s “The Colt U.S. General Officers’ Pistol”, and an extensive group of paperwork and historical material relating to Brigadier General Phillips N. Gordon. The paperwork includes an original DD Form 1149 from the U.S. Army Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command at Rock Island, Illinois. The document identifies the recipient as “Brigadier General Phillips N. Gordon” and specifically describes “Pistol, .45 Cal, Automatic, General Officer, M15, w/e, Serial Number GO 588.” The form is dated September 7, 1983 and separately records August 5, 1977 as the “Date Shipped”. Two of the magazines have polished floorplates and are numbered to th pistol.
Our Assessment: While Colt 1903 and 1908 models were used as General Officer pistols from 1944 until 1972, both models were discontinued by Colt in the 1940s and the Army’s inventory eventually ran out. Rock Island Arsenal tested some commercial models, including the Walther P38 and Smith & Wesson 39, but eventually decided to produce their own GO pistol by customizing 1911A1 model pistols. Gunsmiths at the Arsenal were already very familiar with this sort of work after producing many National Match competition pistols. The result of their work was the M15. Only 1,004 were produced before the model was discontinued due to cost concerns.
This example, GO 588, was first issued to Brigadier General Phillips N. Gordon. Gordon served during World War II and the Korean War and later held senior positions in the Indiana Army National Guard, including Commandant of the Indiana Military Academy, Assistant Division Commander of the 38th Infantry Division, and Deputy Adjutant General. His decorations included the Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, and Combat Infantryman Badge. This General Officer’s pistol will make a wonderful addition to a collection of military firearms, especially with its rich history.