Lot 3585: Rock Island Arsenal - M15

This is a excellent example of an original U.S. Army M15 General Officer's Pistol that is complete with its original GO issue leather Buchmeier holster, double magazine pouch, and two M1911A1 magazines correctly numbered to the pistol, as issued in 1979, that was issued to Brigadier General James L. Pelton. These M15 pistols were designed and manufactured only by Rock Island Arsenal from the early 1970s through approximately 1984 when the US Army began issuing the new Beretta M9 General Officers' pistols. These pistols were fabricated by taking original WWII M1911A1 pistols and milling off all the markings, shortening the slide and barrel assembly and completely accurized them to full National Match standards. During this process the slides were marked on the left side in two lines: "General Officer Model/RIA", with the right side of the frame marked: "Serial No. GO 730". They feature a 4-1/4 inch barrel, shortened slide, high profile front and rear sight, serrated main spring housing, and National Match style checkered front grip strap. The grips are checkered walnut. The left grip was inlaid with a blank silver name plate (which remains uninscribed), and the right grip is inlaid with a Rock Island Arsenal Ordnance Corps escutcheon. The pistol has a highly polished blue finish on most of the parts, and the barrel is chrome plated. The magazines have a blue finish with the serial number "730" electro-penciled on the right side. The black leather holster is a standard commercial open-top model manufactured by Bucheimer that features a single securing strap. The back is marked with "DEPUTY/BUCHEIMER, VALENCIA/CALIF/CLARK" over "B16-74" over the patent number. The magazine pouch is also black cowhide with polished brass fittings and is marked on the back: "US/DSA100-69-C-0049" This lot also includes the original US Government transfer paperwork, shipping box and packing material.

Excellent plus overall with 99% of the arsenal blue finish overall, with the pistol looking like it was test fired only. The grips are also in excellent condition with nice sharp distinct checkering overall with the name plate still uninscribed as noted above. The holster, magazine pouch and magazines are all excellent. The shipping box is fine. Correction/Additional Information: This rare General Officer's pistol was actually issued to BG James L. "Pelton", not Shelton as originally listed.