|
Colt Model M .380 ACP - One of
only 101 U.S. Property marked Model M pistols shipped
directly from Colt's to the General Officer. This
pistol, serial number 135161, was shipped to Lt. General
Frank William "Shrimp" Milburn (West Point Class of
1915) on August 24, 1944.
Milburn was the Commanding General for 1
Corp during the Korean War 1950-51. Accompanying this
pistol was the General's brown belt, gold eagle buckle and
holster. This pistol was worn by the General a considerable
amount as evidenced by the holster wear and smooth spots on
the checkered walnut grips.
Notice the small "U.S. PROPERTY" marking on the right side
of the frame. This pistol also has the early sights, early
number of slide serrations and punch-dot ordnance mark,
located above the Verified Proof mark on the upper left flat
of the trigger guard.
Serial number 136195 is an excellent example of a later U.S.
PROPERTY marked Model M .380. This pistol has the late
ordnance wheel stamped on the left rear of the frame, behind
the thumb safety.
Compared to 135161 (above), 136195 has the larger U.S.
PROPERTY mark, later 1911A1 style sights and the additional
slide serrations.
Colt Model M sn 136434 owned by
Major Benjamin F. Williams. Major Williams was in
active service during 1943 and 1944 having enlisted as a
result of the attack on Pearl Harbor. From approximately
1951 to 1964, Major Williams was employed as a civilian
employee of the Department of the Army and the Department of
the Air Force. He served as a construction engineer in
various locations in Germany including Ramstein, Augsburg
and Bitburg during this period.
Model M .380 pistol issued to
Lt. General
Marshall S. Carter - On April 8, 1947, he was
appointed to the rank of Brigadier General and was presented
his Colt 1908 .380 caliber sidearm, serial number 137666 on
May 5, 1948. The Certificate of Ownership for this pistol
was later presented to Lieutenant General Carter on May 12,
1965, while stationed at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
This gun has the "M" stamp preceding the serial number on
the frame and on the toe of the magazine, which indicated
that it has been either issued from the factory with or sent
back to the factory for modifications to the ejector and
magazine to correct a problem that caused a stovepipe jam.
 |
