SBFG 19124

Colt General Officer’s Pistol, .45 ACP caliber, made by Rock Island Arsenal, high polish blue finish, special deluxe features, checkered wood grips with Rock Island medallions. Serial #GO298 with left grip inlayed with silver plaque engraved “W. R. Todd”. Left side of slide marked “General Officer Model, RIA”. With invoice showing requisition date of May 1982, signed by property officer and describing pistol by serial number and shipment to Major General W. Russell Todd at Headquarters, US Army, Europe. Also included is an autographed photo of General Todd and other documents and invoices concerning the provenance of this rare pistol. General Todd earned the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with “V” device and oak-leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Medal with one oak-leaf cluster, and a host of other ribbons and medals that spanned his stellar career from 1950 to 1982. This outstanding officer served during combat as a Tank Platoon Leader in Korea and as Commander of the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry division in Vietnam. In 1972 he headed the modern volunteer Army office at the Pentagon. He had the responsibility of coordinating the transition from a drafted Army to a volunteer force. As Major General he served as Command Officer of 1st Cavalry Division with 14,000 soldiers under his command. His final assignment was Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, U.S. Army, Europe. He retired from the Army in 1982 to become president of Norwich University in Vermont. Included original buckheimer holster, US Marked Magazine pouch with two magazines, and belt with gold-plated US buckle, which are all proper accessories for the General Officer’s model. The pistol remains in fine to excellent original condition showing 98-99% commercial quality original blue, minor handling, holstering, and slight use. Interior is excellent with minimal evidence of firing