Description
There’s rare, and then there’s rare.
This isn’t just another Rock Island Arsenal M15—it’s the prototype—the first one. The exact pistol the Army brass looked at when shaping the future of General Officer sidearms in the 1970s. Before the line of M15s with serials like “GO 1,” “GO 2,” and beyond, there was.
So what’s the story? In the mid-1970s, the Army faced a shortage of Colt 1903 and 1908 pocket pistols, which were traditionally issued to generals. Rock Island Arsenal stepped in, building a new pistol using tried-and-true 1911 and 1911A1 components. The result was a scaled-down .45 ACP sidearm—something close in spirit to the Colt Combat Commander but distinct in its mission and design. It wasn’t just about filling a gap; it was about creating a pistol worthy of a general.
This prototype, featured on page 121 of Edward Scott Meadows’ U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1945-2012, is more than a footnote. It’s cataloged as a “General Officer prototype with third type slide and serial number markings.” The slide reads “General Officer Model / RIA,” a small inscription that carries a weighty legacy.
Let’s talk features.
- The pistol wears sharply checkered walnut grips, with a blank inscription panel on the left and the iconic Rock Island “crossed cannons” emblem on the right.
- You’ll find serrated high-rise blade front sights paired with a square notch rear.
- A chrome-plated barrel, serrated spring plug, and spring-loaded recoil guide round out the mechanics.
- It’s chambered in .45 ACP and sports a 4¼-inch barrel.
- The original blued magazine? Still here—unmarked and clean.
Condition-wise, it’s a stunner. About 98% of its original blue finish remains, with only light wear from handling and cycling. The grips are crisp, and everything functions precisely as it should. This isn’t a piece that sat forgotten in a footlocker—it was cared for. And it shows.
Whether you’re a serious collector, a military historian, or someone who appreciates exceptional craftsmanship, this M15 tells a story worth owning. It’s not just a gun—it’s the starting point of a legacy carried by generals across decades.
