Description
Some firearms are just tools. Others—like this Rock Island Arsenal M15—carry the weight of history in every detail. Issued to Brigadier General Leo Golash in 1974, this M15 is more than a sidearm. It’s a silent witness to decades of service, sacrifice, and leadership at the highest levels of the U.S. Army.
Built between the early ’70s and 1985, the M15 was Rock Island Arsenal’s answer to a growing need: a refined, dignified pistol for U.S. Army General Officers. Based on the M1911A1, it came with a trimmed 4¼-inch barrel and slide, upgraded sights, and a polished deep-blue finish that still gleams with authority. The barrel? Chrome-plated. Because generals don’t carry off-the-rack gear.
Let’s talk markings—because every detail matters here. On the left, the slide reads “General Officer Model / RIA.” And those grips? They’re not just handsome. They proudly display the Rock Island Arsenal’s crossed cannons insignia, backed by a leather belt, topped with an ordnance flame. It’s craftsmanship with symbolism, plain and simple.
Inside the mag well sits a WWII-era GI magazine, complete with the telltale capital “G” stamped on the front lip. It’s a nice nod to the pistol’s roots, anchoring it in the broader story of American military sidearms.
But what really sets this piece apart is the man behind the serial number: Brigadier General Leo Golash. A soldier’s soldier, Golash enlisted in 1941, went through officer training at Ft. Benning, fought in both WWII and Korea—where he was captured and later returned home—and went on to earn his Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star (with Oak Leaf Cluster), and more. In 1974, the same year he was issued this M15, he took command of the 187th Separate Infantry Brigade in Boston. After retiring, he pivoted to civilian life, running insurance agencies in Massachusetts before being laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in 2001. A full life, marked by service and resilience.
This pistol isn’t just rare—it’s personal. It doesn’t just represent a model or a factory run. It represents a man, a moment, and a military tradition that continues to inspire. For collectors, this isn’t just a great example of the M15 General Officer’s pistol; it’s a relic with a heartbeat. A legacy you can hold in your hands.
