Originally manufactured in 1942 on a U.S. military contract, this pistol was retained in Army inventory following World War II and was issued in 1971 as a General Officer sidearm. Serial number listings and included testimony identify the pistol as being presented to Brigadier General James A. Herbert. Herbert, who penned a letter in 1988 regarding the pistol, identifies it as the pistol he received upon his promotion to Brigadier, was in his possession while on duty as Deputy Commander of the Delta Military Assistance Command in Cantho, South Vietnam, and retained as his personal property until being given to Dr. Paul J. Kopsch, a retired National Guard Brigadier General who was an anesthesiologist in private life, a weapons collector and inventor; one of his patents on self-discarding sabots for shotgun slugs is cited by over 60 other weapons system patents, including U.S. Army fin-stabilized projectiles and Pepperball-brand less-than-lethal payloads. Born in July of 1924, Herbert received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in June of 1945 and at the time of the Korean War was with the Army Rangers. While serving as a Captain with the Rangers in Korea, he was involved in an incident in July of 1951 where his 89-man Ranger unit foiled an attempt to break through the main line and flank the 24th Infantry Division during the Chinese "Fifth Pass Offensive". Having driven a Republic of Korea unit out of position, the Chinese were in prime position to outmaneuver and destroy the other units on the line. Sent out to assess the situation, Herbert's unit maneuvered across the rough countryside at night and by dawn's light saw a massive Chinese force preparing to attack. After sending out a warning to the endangered unit, the badly outnumbered Rangers launched a spoiler attack while calling in air and artillery support, which was successful at the cost of 30% casualties. Herbert himself was shot multiple times during the engagement but remained on duty, leading his men back to friendly lines with bullet holes plugged with his own fingers. Afterwards, he would study at the Air War College, fill multiple positions with the International Development Mission to Vietnam, command the 3rd Battalion and 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division, serve as the chief of the Revolutionary Developments Division (aka the Counterinsurgency Operations Division) for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Commanding General of the Delta Military Assistance Command and Deputy Director of Civil Operations and Rural Development Support (both components of MAC-Vietnam), Assistant Division Commander of the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg and Chief of Staff of Alaska Command. Among other distinctions, Herbert held a B.S. in Military Science from USMA, a Masters in International Relations from George Washington University, the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaves, the Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation with Oak Leaves, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Master Parachutist Badge. The pistol has standard commercial markings and features, with the factory stamped "U.S. PROPERTY" on the right side, and comes with a black leather gun belt, with gilt GO-buckle, a Brauer Brothers brand magazine pouch, a loose Brauer Brothers pouch with nickel fittings, an unmarked but properly finished holster and an unmarked full blue extra magazine.

Very good as completely refurbished, with 98% plus thick gray parkerized finish, showing a few light handling marks overall and some smoothing out of the edges, slides serrations, and markings. The very fine grips show mild dings and dark spots. The belt rig is very fine, with some mild cracks and scuffs. Mechanically excellent. A historic U.S. Colt Model 1903 General Officer's Pistol documented to a prominent Vietnam War officer and American Airborne Ranger.