Manufactured in 1945 with "U.S. PROPERTY" mark on the right side of the frame. Introduced as a commercial pistol, the 1903 was adopted by the U.S. military after proving a commercial success and became the standard sidearm for General Officers during World War II and still issued into the 1970s. These pistols were also popular for arming intelligence officers and OSS operatives due to their concealability, and these Pentagon shipped pistols are often associated with such issue. Though this pistol's final destination and issue is unknown, it falls within the known serial number range of 604 pistols issued to the Military Intelligence Service (G-2) on p. 406 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols Vol. II (1920-1945)" by Meadows. This pistol's serial number falls right between two known General Officer issued pistols listed on p. 154 of "The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols" by Brunner, serial number 571272 issued to brigadier general Ronald R. Woodin and serial number 571274 issued to general William W. Lapsley. The included factory letter lists shipment to the Quartermaster Depot in Cameron, Virginia for the Property Officer at the Pentagon Building in Washington, D.C. on 20 February 1945. Letter states the finish is blue, although the writer believes this to be a factory clerical error, as the parkerized finish is original. Includes a Kraft style box hand numbered to this gun on the end of the lid and a different gun on the bottom. The U.S. OSS type 1 holster is made of Russet leather with a reinforcing rivet towards the top and has an adjustable white canvas chest strap. The holster comes in a correct cardboard box marked "HOLSTER, SHOULDER/CAL. 32&380 COLT/1095-141-9494." These OSS holsters are discussed in Edward Meadows' "U.S. Military Holsters and Related Accoutrements on page 467 and in Dr. John Brunner's "OSS Weapons II." Provenance: The Tom Selleck Collection

Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original parkerized finish with some very light edge/handling wear. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The boxes and holster are very fine with minimal handling/storage wear.