OLD COLT: WE PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH AN ONLINE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR OLD COLT GUNS.
This Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless was sold to the United States Government and shipped to the Transportation officer at the New York Port of Embarkation in Brooklyn, New York on November 2nd, 1944 in a 318 gun shipment. It was on Colt factor order #4420.
From the Springfield Research it shows that this pistol was issued to two separate General's during it's life. It was first issued to Brigadier General G.S. Purple who would turn this pistol in. Then it would be re-issued to Brigadier General Harold H. Shaller who would eventually turn this pistol back in again in October of 1961. At some point during it's life it was refinished most likely at the arsenal.
Harold H. Shaller was awarded the Legion of Merit for actions during the Cold War on December 14th, 1961. The citation reads:The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Harold H. Shaller, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from September 1950 to December 1961.
