Developed in the 1970s, the Rock Island M15 was conceived in response to a shortage of Colt 1903/1908 pistols in Army inventory for issue to generals as a distinctive sidearm. Working from stocks of 1911/1911A1 components, Rock Island essentially produced an in-house custom variant of the Colt Combat Commander pistol. The overall markings are consistent with the initial prototype run of the M15, though the serial number reads "GO Model" with no following digit; the original sample submitted for government evaluation was numbered "GO Model 1" (General Officer Model, Serial Number 1), but higher brass was concerned that this might confuse observers into thinking the number was a model number rather than a serial number, leading to the "Serial No. GO (number)" pattern used during production. This pistol can be seen on page 120 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1945-2012" by Edward Scott Meadows, where it is called out as a "M15 Prototype, nickel finish, second type slide markings" and noted as being from the author's personal collection. Serrated high rise blade front and square notch rear sights, "General Officers Pistol/ Model Rock Island Arsenal" on the slide, sharply checkered frontstrap, serrated and checkered backstrap, checkered hardwood grips with a blank inscription panel on the left and Rock Island "crossed cannons" emblem on the right, hollow spring plug, one-piece recoil spring guide, chrome plated barrel, and an unmarked nickel magazine. Provenance: The Edward S. Meadows Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Excellent, with 98% plus original nickel plating, showing light scratches on the right side of the slide, some dark spots in the serrations and checkering, and minor handling marks overall. The grips are excellent, with some flattening of the checkering. Mechanically excellent.