Offered here is a historic Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket pistol with a inscription related to famed General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War I. The frame lacks a serial number. The slide has the serial number “317893.” An accompanying Colt factory letter (photocopy) based on the slide serial number lists a Model 1908 with a 2 inch barrel in .25 caliber and blue finish when it was part of a three gun shipment that left the factory on November 28, 1922, and delivered to Albany Hardware & Iron Co. of Albany, New York. In 1922, General Pershing was serving as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, a position he held from 1921 until he retired in 1924. At this time, Pershing held the highest rank possible for any living member of the United States armed forces, General of the Armies of the United Sates, which, as authorized by Congress, was bestowed to him by President Woodrow Wilson on September 3, 1919, in recognition of his outstanding service during WWI. At the dawn of America’s entry into WWI, President Wilson chose Pershing, who at the time was a major general, as the Commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) after his first choice, Frederick Funston, unexpectedly died from a heart attack in February 1917. Pershing was promoted to full general, responsible for a combined professional and conscripted Army and National Guard force that ultimately totaled over two million soldiers at war’s end. As for this pistol, both sides of the slide have standard Colt markings. The engraved inscriptions are featured on the sides of the frame, and the grip panels must be removed to bring the inscriptions into full view. The right side of the frame reads, “Maj. Gen. John J. Pershing [faint star]/The Evening Post/Newport R.I./Ontario Ca.” The left side of the frame reads, “East Hartford/New London Ct.”. There is also a partially engraved letter on the left side of the frame near the top. The inscription is explained by the consignor: “[The] pistol must have had a special place in [Pershing’s] heart, for it is engraved with the names of places significant to him and of the paper, "The Evening Post". This paper vilified him, accusing him of using the political power of his father-in-law, Senator Warren, to secure his promotion to brigadier general over so many senior officers. It took several years before the paper made an apology.” We will allow the buyer to make up his/her mind to the validity of the claim. Indeed, Pershing received strong criticism after President Theodore Roosevelt nominated him for the rank of brigadier general in 1906. Congress approved the nomination, and Pershing skipped three ranks and over 800 senior officers. Most of the criticism ended after Pershing proved he possessed the talents worthy of a general. Items that make up the archive include the following: “General Pershing One Step” sheet music, a December 1919 dated Pershing letter to Brigadier General William Atterbury expressing his appreciation for the Transportation Corps, silver Pershing novelty spoon, several WWI era pinback badges and insignia, colorized portrait of Pershing in an oval frame, two “Final Report of General J. Pershing” (one standard, the other a presentation copy for the honorable John W. Davis), 8x10 framed photo of Pershing, 11x14 print of Pershing, framed Pershing signed photo portrait of himself, “General Pershing’s Official Story of the American Expeditionary Forces in France” and American Red Cross postcard bearing Pershing’s image.

Fine. The pistol retains 60% original blue finish with the balance a mix of brown and gray patinas. Traces of strong original case colors remain on the small parts. The grips are very good with a worn area on the left panel. Mechanically excellent.