Lot 3290

U.S. Rock Island M15 General Officer Pistol of Ladd F. Hunt

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U.S. Rock Island M15 General Officer Pistol of Ladd F. Hunt

Estimate: $9,500 - $16,000

Starting Bid: $8,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Historic Documented Identified U.S. Rock Island Arsenal M15 General Officer Semi-Automatic Pistol, Serial Number "GO180", Issued to Major General Ladd F. Hunt with Belt and Large Grouping of His Uniforms and Personal Effects Originally manufactured as a U.S. Model 1911A1 by Colt c. 1940s and subsequently refurbished into a M15 General Officer pistol by the U.S. Rock Island Arsenal c. 1972-1973. Developed by U.S. Rock Island Arsenal Superintendent of Small Arms, Machinery, and Plating Dale W. Hoffman c. 1970, the M15 General Officer's .45 caliber pistols were built up solely by the U.S. Rock Island Arsenal from 1972 to 1981 utilizing existing U.S. Model 1911A1 pistol frames that were re-machined and re-marked, paired with shortened slides with raised iron sights and shortened 4 1/4 inch barrels. This specific pistol, serial number "GO180", is listed on p. 148 of "The Colt U.S. General Officer's Pistol" by Horace Greeley IV as issued in 1973. This pistol once belonged to Major General Ladd F. Hunt, who had a 40-year military career from 1942 to 1982. He notably served the 104th Training Division in Washington for at least 20 years. The lot contains a large grouping of Major General Ladd F. Hunt's personal effects including a leather officer's belt with brass federal eagle buckle, a leather double magazine pouch, three total magazines all correctly with the electro-penciled matching number "180" to the pistol, five of his military uniform jackets, three military hats, a Distinguished Service Medal, his inscribed metal desk name plate mounted on a wooden base with relief carved dragons, a hanging miniature presentation display bayonet, a sword with scabbard presentation inscribed to him in May 1979 by members of the 104th Division, office items, pens, patches, three flags with eagle tops and flag poles, pictures, framed diploma, framed discharge paper and appointment to Major General, framed 104th Division World War II map, large wooden plaque from the 104th Division with medals, and a wooden display case for the pistol. The pistol features raised fixed ramped blade front and notch rear sights, "General Officer Model/RIA" marked in gold filled lettering on the left of the slide, the serial number marked in gold filled lettering on the right of the frame, "R" on the left side of the trigger guard with "17" on the right side, and a checkered front strap. It has a pair of checkered walnut grips with a U.S. Rock Island Arsenal "ordnance wheel" insert on the right panel and a blank name plate on the left panel. This exact pistol is featured in the online publication Volume 57 Number 1 March 2022 "Colorado Gun Collectors Association Spokesman".

Manufacturer: Rock Island Arsenal

Model: M15

BBL: 4 1/4 inch round

Gauge: 45 ACP

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial NumberGO180

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Provenance: Major General Ladd F. Hunt; A Private Collection
  • Condition: Excellent overall, retains 98% plus original Rock Island Arsenal blue finish, with minimal handling evidence, and very crisp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. All of the accompanying accessories are fine to excellent. This is a very desirable identified U.S. Rock Island Arsenal M15 General Officer pistol that would fill a hole in many U.S. military collections!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000