Per the included documentation, consisting of correspondence from Rock Island Arsenal, this was the issued service pistol of Major General John Simpson Guthrie Junior during his time as a general officer with the United States Army, which he purchased and retained as a personal sidearm on his retirement. Introduced in 1986 as the successor to the RIA M15 and Colt 1903/1908, the M9 General Officer's Pistol was both a badge of rank and personal defense weapon issued to Brigadier Generals upon their appointment to the rank. Like the 1903/1908, the M9 GO is more or less identical to the standard service weapon, with the use of a distinct serial range to mark them out as special. A graduate of the West Point Class of 1959, Guthrie was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit during peacetime, with service at the Pentagon and with the staff of Richard Nixon's White House. Blade front and notch rear sights, with standard manufacturer/assembly numbers overall, the "GO" serial number on the left side of the frame, and checkered Beretta grips. Included with the pistol are a black leather Bianchi G100 holster, Bianchi G115 magazine pouch, and two extra Italian-made Beretta magazines with military assembly number markings.

Excellent, with 90% plus original matte black finish, showing bright edge wear, mild handling marks, and some loss of the white paint on the front sight. The grips are also in excellent condition. Mechanically excellent. The holster and pouch show wear and scuffing.