Make: Colt

Model: 1908 General Officer's Pistol

Serial Number: 137422

Year of Manufacture: 1944

Caliber: .380 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 3 3/4"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with silver-colored Colt medallions. The right grip panel has a patch of light wear at the bottom-front. There are light handling marks. The checkering is otherwise well-defined. There are no chips or cracks.. The grips are in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original, the slide is serial-matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8+/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 92% of its metal finish. The balance is in scattered light freckling and light marks on the slide, a few spots of ligth pinprick erosion on the right slide flat toward the front, and very light operational wear on the trigger and grip safety. The screw head is sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a a Colt Archives letter, a notarized letter from General Tully's grandson, a brown leather General Officer's belt and holster with gold gilt buckle, a series of documents and photographs of General Tully and a single 7-round magazine.

Our Assessment: Starting with a detail in the Signal Corps in 1930, Brigadier General Terrence Tully began a rewarding 24-year career as an officer of the United States Army Signal Corps. When World War II started, Lieutenant Colonel Terry had been Signal Officer at Forts Lewis and Leavenworth where he attended the Command and General Staff School, Forts Sam Houston, and Benning where he was the Signal Officer for the 4th Infantry Division. In May 1942 Colonel Tully became Signal Officer of II Army Corps, participating in the North African Landings and the Tunisian Campaign under Generals Fredendal, Patton and Bradley. He was later assigned as Signal Officer, United States Services of Supply in North Africa at Oran, and then Deputy Chief Signal Officer, Allied Forces at Algiers. He was promoted to Brigadier General in February 1944, and became Chief Signal Officer, American Forces, Mediterranean, and Deputy Chief Signal Officer, Allied Forces, Mediterranean. His skill as a Signals officer contributed to the success of several operations in the Theatre, ensuring good communications for proper command and control. Returning to the United States in September 1944, Terry became Chief of the Signal Corps Distribution Service in the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. In June 1945 he was assigned as Commanding General of the Signal Corps Training Center at Camp Crowder. From March 1946 to November 1948, Terry commanded the Alaskan Communication System. For the next four years, Terry was involved in the establishment of the Communications System for the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers, Europe for NATO, with titles of Acting Chief Signal Officer, SHAPE, and Chairman of the NATO Military Communications Committee. In November 1952 Terry was given command of the Signal Corps Training Center at Fort Gordon, Commanding General of both until August 1954 when he retired from active duty. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Legion of Honor grade of Chevalier, Croix de Guerre with Palm and Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Documented and complete with belt, buckle and holster this is the dream of a Colt, Military Pistol, or US Militaria collector, sure to take a prized place in any collection.