May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2024
Manufactured in 1943 as part of a WWII contract, marked on the right side of frame "U.S. PROPERTY. Wartime parkerized finish, 3 - 3/4" barrel, standard sights, and checkered walnut grips with rampant Colt medallions. Included records indicate this pistol was issued to Brigadier General Russell T. Flinn on September 17, 1954. Flinn was born in Peoria Illinois in 1903 and graduated from West Point in 1925, after which he was appointed a second lieutenant in the US Army Air Service. Beginning in 1926, he served with Field Artillery, the 12th at Fort Sam Houston, Texas 1926-1929, the 11th in Hawaii until 1931, Field Artillery School at Fort Sill 1931-1932, the 5th Artillery at the Madison Barracks in New York 1932-1935, and then with the 24th in the Philippines. In 1938, he became an Assistant Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Cornell before joining the 9th Division at Fort Bragg and attended the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. During World War II, Flinn served with the 196th and 32nd Field Artillery, remaining in Germany until 1949 as a Special Services athletic director and commanding officer of the Berchtesgaden Military Post. From 1949 to 1952, General Flinn was Assistant Chief of Staff at Fort Monroe before acting as Assistant Chief of Staff at the 8th Army Headquarters in Korea until his return to Fort Lewis in 1954 as Division Artillery Executive Officer. He was appointed Chief of Staff of the Fifth Army on August 19, 1954 and shortly thereafter received this pistol. He retired in 1956 and was awarded numerous domestic and foreign decorations including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, French Legion du Merite, Belgian Military Cross, and the Republic of Korea Distinguished Service Medal. Flinn's military service is detailed in included Springfield Research. CONDITION: Excellent, near new. Pistol retains nearly all of its original parkerized finish with some mild silvering. Grip checkering is sharp with a few flattened points. Excellent bore. Fine mechanics. A great documented General Officer's pistol.
Paperwork
Springfield Research