April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/13/2023
Circa 1969, Dale Hoffman, the Superintendent of Small Arms, Machinery and Plating at Rock Island Arsenal realized that he had a problem: Colt's .32 ACP Model M pistols were being depleted faster than he could restore them. Colt no longer made the Model, and he had already turned to salvaging existing guns to provide new stock. To solve the problem, Hoffman prototyped a new general officer's pistol built off of an 1911A1 frame (his prototype was done with an Ithaca) with a shortened slide, bushing, plug, and recoil spring, and modified National Match parts. While the pistol was successfully tested, the Army requisitioned testing of 4 9mm handguns including 2 Smith & Wessons 39s, a Colt 1969, and a Walther P.38. The .45 skipped some of this testing as it was already approved as a 1911A1 platform. In a Memorandum for Record dated March 16, 1972, Rock Island Arsenal was recommended to proceeded with further testing that would cement the choice of the Model 1970, with 6 more built in April 1972 by Robert Mallettee, the Chief Pistolsmith. The pistols were finished and sent for testing, which they presumably passed, as acceptance requirements were set down in July of 1972 and an official approval was given on October 12th, 1972. This example is one of the early prototype pistols, before the "GO" prefix and the "General Officers Pistol RIA" engraving was utilized, instead using "General Officers Pistol / Model 1970", and a recycled 1911A1 frame with faint "United States Property" marking still visible. Other distinguishing features include lack of a silver plate in the grips for the recipients name. Correct fixed sights, shortened bushing, rod, and recoil spring, and barrel with only 1 lug. Fully checkered walnut grips with Rock Island Arsenal insert on right scale. Small parts comprise narrow serrated hammer, serrated slide release, thick tab checkered safety, National Match trigger with overtravel adjustment, long 1911A1 grip safety, arched knurled mainspring housing with lanyard loop, and checkered front strap. magazine electropencilled to match via last 4 of serial number. Accompanied by a piece of paper indicating that this pistol was purchased from the Estate of Gene Taylor, an employee of Rock Island Arsenal by Robert Elrad, and then from Elrad, with copy of a check made out to Elrad. Horace Greeley's "The Colt U.S. General Officers' Pistol" has numerous photos of the Model 1970 prototypes, most predominantly on page 165 and 166, with no serial numbers provided of the photographed gun. Housed in a modern wood case with green felt French fitting, plaque in lid reads "General Officers Pistol / Rock Island Arsenal Prototype / Model 1970". Accompanied by a copy of "The Colt U.S. General Officers' Pistol" by Horace Greeley IV. CF: "U.S. General Officer Pistols: A Collectors' Guide" by Kevin Williams and Dr. John W. Brunner, pg. 138, where some further details of these pistols are discussed. CONDITION: Overall excellent, retaining the vast majority of the arsenal reapplied blue, with some softness to the previous legends, serial number carefully restamped to avoid loss during reblue. Some minor handling marks from storage and handling throughout, none serious. General Officers engraving is crisp and legible. Mechanically fine, bore is good with strong rifling and some minor frosting towards chamber. Case is fine as new. This is a very good example of a very scarce gun. EMW
Accessories
Book and paperwork
Manufacturer
Rock Island Arsenal
Model
1970 General Officers Pistol
Paperwork
Book and Information