Manufactured in 1938. The included factory letter with this pistol confirms the current configuration, grips not listed, as well as shipment to Company K of the 21st Infantry at Scholfield [sic] Barracks in the Territory of Hawaii on 15 May 1940, about a year and a half before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In October of 1921, the 21st Infantry Regiment was assigned to the Hawaiian Division and stationed at Schofield Barracks. In August of 1941, the regiment was reassigned to the 24th Infantry Division but remained at Schofield Barracks. Due to their proximity to Wheeler Army Airfield, part of the regiment's task during 1941 was security for the airfield. On the morning of 7 December, Wheeler field was attacked by approximately 25 Japanese dive bombers which dropped around 35 bombs on the installation. The men of the 21st, though surprised, quickly armed themselves and began returning fire with any weapons they could lay their hands on. The dive bombers would return, strafing the American planes on the airfield as well as the barracks, destroying many of the aircraft. A handful of fighter planes from Wheeler would eventually manage to get airborne and begin pursuing the Japanese. When the smoke cleared, 83 American aircraft had been destroyed at Wheeler, along with 38 enlisted men killed and 59 wounded, some of which were part of the 21st. This attack on Wheeler field was just a portion of a larger scale surprise attack on the military installations of the Hawaiian islands which left the U.S. Pacific Fleet heavily damaged and caused significant casualties. The 21st Infantry Regiment would go on to play a significant role in the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation and remained active through to the surrender and occupation of mainland Japan. The pistol itself was manufactured on 24 October 1938. The left side of the slide has the standard two-line address and patent marking followed by the Rampant Colt. The right side of the slide has the Service Model Ace and caliber markings. The right side of the frame is marked with the serial number while the trigger guard is marked with "P/VP" and "60" on the left and right respectively. It is fitted with blade front and adjustable notch rear sights, checkered wide hammer, slide stop, thumb safety, and arched mainspring housing, a pair of checkered walnut grips, and a two-tone magazine with Service Model Ace markings on the base plate. Included is a copy of the 21st Regiment's organization day souvenir magazine for 1941 titled "Gimlet" (the nickname of the regiment), a copy of the regiment's history book "The Story of a Regiment: The Twenty-First United States Infantry" by Captain Judson MacIvor Smith, and a 21st Regiment HQ company guidon.

Fine, retains 60% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily in the form of handling mild handling wear, and a patch of light pitting on the upper left front of the slide, all typical of a training arm that likely saw significant use throughout the war. The grips are also fine with mild wear, some scattered light handling marks, and otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. The guidon is very fine, regimental history book is very good, and the magazine is good with some tape repair.