This desirable early Colt Model 1903 pistol was originally manufactured in 1943 under a U.S. military contract. It was retained in Army inventory following World War II and was eventually reissued in 1971 as a General Officer sidearm to one Winfield W. Scott, Jr., upon his promotion to Brigadier General. Born in 1927 in Hawaii, Scott graduated from West Point in 1950 as a Second Lieutenant, and completed flight training in 1951. During his career he would spend over 5,000 hours in the air in planes ranging from the F-51 Mustang to the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Among other posts, he served as the Chief of the Current Operations Division of the Tactical Air Control Center for the 7th Air Force in Vietnam, USAF Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans & Operations in Washington, head of Alaskan Air Command while simultaneously commander of the Alaskan North American Air Defense Region, and then went to Korea to be the deputy commander of U.S. Forces Korea, deputy commander-in-chief of U.N. Command Korea, Chief of Staff to the Combined Forces Command and commander of Air Component Command. His final post would be Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he would also pass the Academy's freefall parachute program, becoming the oldest and highest ranked Air Force member to gain their wings through the program. Among other distinctions, Scott earned the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (x2 oak clusters), Bronze Star (w/V Device), Air Medal (x8 oak clusters), and the Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit, in addition to being inducted into the Order of the Sword (a honor presented by the NCO's of the Air Force, only 239 recipients as of 2014). The pistol has the desirable "U.S. PROPERTY" markings on the right side of the frame. The pistol has a late light gray arsenal parkerized finish and is fitted with checkered walnut stocks. The grips are inlaid with German Silver Colt Medallions. As noted the frame has the "U.S. PROPERTY" markings and the left side is stamped with serial number, "569352" above trigger. There is a faint, small Ordnance Corps escutcheon stamped at the rear of the frame behind the safety lever. The right side of the slide is marked: "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 32 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" in two lines. The opposite side of the slide is marked: "COLT'S PT. F.A.MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A./PATENTED APR. 20, 1897. DEC. 22, 1903" in two lines with the Rampant Colt located behind the slide serrations. The Colt "VP" proof mark is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard bow. The magazine is blued and the floor plate is marked: "CAL. 32/COLT" in two lines. It comes with an original unmarked black leather GO type holster with a Bauer Bros., marked black leather double magazine pouch.

Very fine as arsenal refurbished with 98% plus of the light gray parkerized finish with minor edge and high spot wear. The grips are also in excellent condition with nice distinct checkering overall with some minor wear across the tops of the checkering. The holster and magazine pouch are both in very good condition with nice black color and tight stitching showing light flex wear from actual field use.