This is an excellent example of late manufactured U.S. Army M15 General Officer pistol complete with the GO issue leather holster, magazine pouch, two M1911A1 magazines and cleaning equipment, as issued to BG Norman Martell in Feb 1979. These M15 pistols were manufactured solely by Rock Island Arsenal starting in the early 1970s through approximately 1985 when the US Army adopted the Beretta M9 Beretta pistol. These pistols were fabricated by using a standard M1911A1 pistol, milling off old markings and then applying the new markings and shortening the slide and barrel assembly to 4 1/2 inches, installed a high profile front and rear sight, serrated main spring housing with the National Match style checkered front grip strap. The left side of the slide was marked with "General Officer Model/RIA" with "Serial No. GO 727" on the right side of the frame above the grips. The grips are checkered walnut and the right side has inlaid into it, a cast, Ordnance emblem that consists of the "crossed-cannons/leather belt" insignia with "ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL" on the belt, with the Shell/Flame and Ordnance Bomb. While the left grip panel is inlaid with a small silver name plate, this one is still blank. The pistol has a highly polished blue finish on all the parts and the barrel is chrome plated. The magazines also have a polished and blue floor plates and are electro-penciled with the pistol serial number on the lower left side. This pistol is complete with an open-top black leather holster with single strap marked on the back "DEPUTY/BUCHEIMER, VALENCIA CALIF/CLARK, B16-74", a black leather double magazine pouch with brass fittings marked on the back: "U.S./DSA-100-69-C-0049", a pistol cleaning rod, bore brush, and cardboard shipping box. This specific M15 General Officer Pistol was issued in Feb 1979 and is complete with an original DD1149 Requisition and Invoice Shipping Document from Rock Island Arsenal. The included "Affidavit of Authenticity" from Major Joseph L. Mudd, former Commander of the 52nd Military History Department, confirms that the pistol was shipped to Brigadier General Norman W. Martell in February 1979.

Excellent with 99% original arsenal presentation grade blue finish as applied by Rock Island Arsenal during assembly. The grips are also excellent with nice distinct. Clear sharp markings overall. The holster, magazine pouch and various accessories are all excellent. A truly outstanding RIA General Officers M15.