This is an exceptional example of a "U.S. Property" marked Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Pistol, in the desirable .380 ACP caliber as manufactured in June 1945. This pistol was eventually issued to or acquired by Brig. Gen. David Van Syckle. This pistol is accompanied by a Colt factory letter verifying it was shipped to the Transportation Officer, Springfield Ordnance Depot, Springfield MA., in a shipment of 188 pistols. BG. David Van Syckle was born in New Jersey and graduating from West Point in 1926, Van Syckle's military career included service under both Gen Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines and later under Gen George Patton in the Europe theater. Later he was assigned as member of Gen Dwight Eisenhower's staff in England prior to the D-Day invasion and after the war, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the First Army under Gen Bedell Smith. If you note all four of the previously named Generals were the leading, most senior Generals throughout WWII, so obviously BG. Van Syckle was very highly thought of. Later on in his career he was named to the U.S. Delegation to NATO Headquarters in Paris in 1952-56. After his retirement in 1956, he continued to serve in the NATO posting with the U.S. Diplomatic Corps. After leaving Federal service he was hired by the "Aerojet" company were he served as the Director of International Operations, where he helped pioneer the Jet-Assisted Take Off (JATO) technology. Aerojet was also a primary suppliers for U.S. Air Force Titan and Minuteman Missile programs as well as being the manufacturers of the main engine on the Apollo Command/Service Module. General Van Syckle fully retired in 1966. This pistol has a commercial blue finish and is fitted with checkered walnut grips with silver-plated Colt Medallions. The frame is marked "U.S. PROPERTY" with the small Cross-Cannon US Ordnance proof on the left side. The slide has the later flat top rear sight and standard front sight blade. The left side of the slide is marked with the two line Colt address and patent dates of /1897 and 1903, with the Colt rampant horse trademark behind the slide serrations. The right side is roll marked: "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE .380 HAMMERLESS". The left side of the trigger guard bow is stamped with the Colt "VP" proof, and the number "4" and the right side is stamped with the Colt sub inspector proof of 64. The left side of the frame is marked with the serial number above the trigger guard. The magazine is blue and the floor plate is marked: "CAL.380 / COLT". In the book "The Colt U.S. General Officers Pistol" by Greely it lists this pistol as having been issued in 1953. This lot also includes the original brown cardboard box with the serial al number written on the lid, two original magazines still wrapped in their brown paper, the cleaning rod and bore brush. This lot includes a beautiful, like new Commercial made Model 1916 patent leather holster with a Model 1912 drop down belt loop hanger. The holster is constructed of a shiny, almost paten leather material with a light brown stitching with brass rivets. It is unmarked however very well made. This excellent pistol is accompanied by various letters and correspondence from the family of BG. Van Syckle along with his obituary. Certainly a very unique and desirable pistol having belong to an important U.S. Army General.

Excellent with 99% of the original blue finish overall with only minor edge wear. The walnut grips are also in excellent condition with nice sharp checkering with only a couple of extremely minor handling marks. The original cardboard shipping box and holster are both in excellent condition.