This is an exceptionally fine example of a U.S. Army issue M15 General Officer pistol. The M15 pistols were manufactured solely by Rock Island Arsenal starting in the early 1970s through approximately 1985 when the US Army adopted the Beretta M9 pistol. This specific pistol is listed on p. 148 of "The Colt General Officers' Pistol" by Greeley as being issued in 1973. The same page also notes that two M15 pistols were manufactured with this serial number, one of which resides in the Rock Island Arsenal Museum. These pistols were fabricated by using a standard M1911A1 pistol, milling off old markings and then applying the new markings and shortening the slide and barrel assembly to 4 1/2 inches, installing a high profile front and rear sight, serrated mainspring housing, and the National Match style checkered front grip strap. The left side of the slide is marked with "General Officer Model/RIA", and "Serial No. GO 178" is on the right side of the frame above the grips. The grips are checkered walnut, and the right side has a cast Rock Island Arsenal ordnance emblem, while the left grip panel is inlaid with a blank silver name plate. The pistol has a highly polished blue finish on most the parts, the barrel is chrome plated, and it is furnished with a full blue magazine hand marked "178" twice on the right side. Includes an extra magazine also hand numbered "178", a general officer's belt with brass U.S. seal buckle, Buckheimer "DEPUTY" holster, U.S. "1962" dated dual magazine pouch, and an additional "US" marked shoulder type holster, all of which are black leather.

Excellent, retains 98% of the original Rock Island Arsenal blue finish with some scattered light handling marks and some light pitting visible under the finish on the top of the slide and the dust cover. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The accessories are all very fine or better with minimal wear.