This is a very nice example of a Colt Model 1903 issued to Major General Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf Sr. in 1956. General Schwarzkopf was a 1917 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and after receiving a commission as Second Lieutenant in the cavalry, he was sent to war torn Europe where he survived a mustard gas attack and later served as a Provost Marshal during the occupation following the conclusion of WWI. In 1921, the General returned to the U.S. with the rank of Colonel and was appointed by the New Jersey Governor to head the newly formed New Jersey State Police, which he shaped into an effective law enforcement agency. The General was among the first officials called to the residence of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh following the kidnapping of his son and remained on the Lindbergh kidnapping case until its conclusion. After clashing with a new governor, General Schwarzkopf was fired from the New Jersey State Police in 1936. He went on to narrate the radio program Gang Busters and then reenlisted in the U.S. Army at the beginning of WWII. He was posted in Iran in 1942 and organized the country's police force. After WWII he took part in the CIA's Operation Ajax to convince the self-exiled Iranian monarch, Mohammad Reza Shah, to return and seize power and would organize a security force to support the Shah, which later became the SAVAK. He achieved the rank of Major General before retiring in 1953. General Schwarzkopf is the father of one of the most famous late 20th century commanders, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr., the commander of Coalition forces for Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Schwarzkopf Sr. died in 1958 from complications of lung cancer and is buried at West Point Cemetery. This pistol was manufactured in 1945. The left side of the slide is marked with the elongated two line address/patent dates, the right side is marked "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 32 RIMLESS SMOKELESS", the right side of the frame is marked U.S. PROPERTY" and the serial number is on the left side. Low profile fixed sights, parkerized finish, two tone magazine marked "CAL. 32/COLT" on the bottom and fitted with checkered walnut grips with silver Colt medallions. The pistol is listed by serial number on page 97 of "The Colt U.S. General Officers Pistol" by Horace Greeley as being issued in 1956 and a copy of the accompanying Springfield Research service letter identifies U.S. 1903 Colt automatic pistol serial number 571358 as a 32 caliber pistol issued to Major General H. N. Schwarzkopf (SCHWARZKOPF H N MG) on August 8, 1956."

Very fine as arsenal refurbished. The pistol retains 98% arsenal parkerized finish showing some edge wear, and some minor scuffs and scratches. The grips are very good showing some minor wear and bruising in the otherwise crisp checkering. Clear markings. Mechanically fine. A historic Colt Model 1903 pistol.