Additional Issue:
The General George S. Patton®, Jr. .45 Pistol – Collector Edition
THIS ISSUE IS CLOSED
Americans share a great appreciation for World War II and the World War II generation because it was the great Crusade, and America was strong and united and led by great men. Today, by contrast, society is largely adrift, rudderless and hero-free.
We often turn back the clock to the leaders of that age for our inspiration. And certainly one of the most colorful, daring and confidence-inspiring was General George S. Patton, Jr. (West Point, ’09). His favorite word was: “Attack!,” as in: “We will attack and attack again…we will attack until the war is over.”
He is also ranked by many as the most effective. One example: Along one battle front, commencing in France in 1944, he led the conquering of 1,000,000 enemy soldiers, 82,000 square miles of territory and 1,500 towns and cities! Under his command, the Third Army moved farther and faster and engaged more enemy divisions in less time than any other in the history of the United States.
The Father of American Armored Warfare, his ingenious tactical innovations are used to this day – including the stunning adaptations of Israeli armored formations in the Arab wars and in our Pattonesque tank successes in Desert Storm and Iraq.
He also spoke his mind: Of Hitler he said, as I recall, “I can’t wait to get to Berlin and personally shoot that paper-hanging son-of-a-bitch!”
What We Have in Common with the General
We have at least three things in common with General Patton: (1) our patriotism (2) our appreciation of military history and (3) our love of firearms.
Weapons were General Patton’s tools of the trade, and his fancy sidearms were his important, personal symbols. He very visibly wore distinctive sidearms to show his men he was an aggressive fighter and so his men would recognize him, up front:
“I want the men…to know where I am, and that I risk the same dangers they do. A little fancy dress is added to help maintain the leadership and fighting spirit that I desire…”
One of the most prominent and widely seen photos of the General appeared in full color on the cover of Life (the only color Life cover in 1941), probably the most famous of World War II magazines. It’s a defiant, Pattonesque pose, with him scowling menacingly with his “war face,” which he regularly practiced in a mirror.
And, characteristically, he is wearing one of his distinctive firearms. For this important photograph he chose his M1911 .45 auto, which he had been issued prior to embarking to France in World War I (characteristically, he filed the sear to give it a “hair trigger”). You can clearly see, in this shot, he had his initials scrimshawed in the ivory grip. This was the first of his sidearms for which he would use this technique, which would become his trademark. And he wore it where everyone could see – up front in his shoulder holster! It was this shoulder holster and this .45 pistol about which we believe he later wrote: “Have been wearing my shoulder holster ever since D-Day so as to get myself in the spirit of the part”.
A Tribute to the General
Now, we are pleased to bring you a handsome firearm to honor this great World War II leader, the General George S. Patton, Jr. Tribute .45 Pistol, issued on the Colt® Government Model® .45 Pistol. Indeed, it’s a firearm of which he would have been proud, as it was inspired by him and his original .45.
Like the General’s, this Tribute features his “trademark” intertwined initials down the white grips, which, for these pistols, are custom made with rugged, polished Ivorene, which avoids splitting and brittleness – an advantage over ivory.
Just as his original, this Colt .45 pistol is custom built with the following: (1) the flat, ribbed mainspring housing, (2) lanyard loop, and (3) long trigger.
For this special Limited Edition, historically-correct engraving patterns, which he chose for his Colt Single Action Army®, were selected and adapted to enhance the beauty and the importance of the piece. And, to accentuate the beauty and visibility of the considerable detail, your Tribute is plated in either Sterling Silver or Hard Nickel depending upon your choice of the two distinctive editions.
The Museum Edition – “One of 250” Sterling Plated
The Deluxe Museum Edition is strictly limited to only 250, worldwide. The detail is completely hand engraved, using the time-honored hammer-and-chisel method by engravers we have commissioned for this edition. Engraving on this museum–quality masterpiece beautifully enhances both sides of the frame and both sides of the slide. The presentation side features hand engraving of the General’s four stars, a personal symbol he frequently used and of which he was particularly proud. His distinctive signature is hand engraved on the reverse of the slide in a panel ensconced in elaborate scroll engraving. Even both sides of the frame, trigger and hammer are covered with genuine hand engraving. All surfaces are polished by experienced gun polishers to a mirror finish and plated with genuine Sterling Silver. Each is engraved with its own registry number, from P001M to P250M, with the “P” for “Patton” and the “M” for “Museum Edition.”
The Collector Edition – “One of 750” Hard Nickel Plated
For the Collector Edition, the plating is beautiful, high-gloss, Hard Nickel, a finish that withstands repeated firing and holster wear and is universally admired for its rugged beauty. On both sides of the slide, the considerable detail of the hand engraving of the Museum Edition is transferred and captured using deep, bas relief acid etching, rather than hand engraving. Thanks to the special artistry and the precision etching by the craftsmen we have commissioned for this project, it is quite close to real hand engraving. All other components are left brightly polished – all skillfully, individually custom-worked to a deluxe mirror finish and plated with Hard Nickel. The Collector Edition is strictly restricted to a limited edition of only 750 pistols, each individually numbered between P001C and P750C, with the prefix for “Patton” and the suffix for “Collector.”
Each General Patton Tribute Colt .45 is issued with its own Certificate of Authenticity, which is inscribed with its Limited Edition Registry Number (also engraved on the pistol); it also attests to the quality of the plating and to the strict edition limit.
Keep the Memories Alive
Your ownership and display to your family and friends of this significant Tribute will demonstrate your strong traditional values, your pride in the World War II generation, your admiration of General Patton’s leadership, and your abiding interest in military history – traits which will be remembered of you by future generations of your family.
For any questions and/or to reserve, simply call our Member Relations Staff, at 1-800-368-8080. Or you may contact us by fax, mail, or email. You may place your reservation with a small deposit, and a convenient monthly payment plan is available. We will arrange delivery of your working pistol through a licensed firearms dealer of your choice. Your satisfaction is guaranteed, or return the Tribute in 30 days for a full refund.
On the news of General Patton’s death after the war, it was written from London: “His personality is more firmly fixed on our minds than any other military commander of the late war, and therefore his memory will remain with us and our children for generations.” Each time you display this pistol and tell the story of General Patton, you will help keep alive the memories of World War II, General Patton and the sixteen-million Americans who served. It is important to remember World War II and “the greatest generation” of our past – and with this Tribute in the family, our friends, children, and grandchildren can say “Never forget.”
Display Case
Also available is a custom made, luxuriously lined Display Case with locking glass lid and engraved identification plaque to display and protect your Tribute from dust and unauthorized handling.
General George S. Patton, Jr. and PATTON® under license by CMG Worldwide, Inc.www.CMGWorldwide.com
