Colt Model 1903 Owned By Brigadier Gen. Joseph Stilwell Jr. 

Excellent video !!! Thanks from a Vietnam era veteran and veteran's service officer for 23 years.

I had a 1916 issued model M that had been chromed at some point. It was a fun shooter except for the cost of .32acp ammo. I traded it off to someone who wanted it and made a good trade. I'd like to have a 1908 model, the .380acp. Unfortunately, the reissue of model M firearms are way too expensive for my tastes. Thank you for presenting this fine handgun carried by "cider" Joe Stillwell. He took good care of it.

My Father was in the Pacific campaigns WWII. I know the history of General Stillwell Sr. I must say I know less about his son General Stillwell Jr. I am former 82nd. 1st 505th ABN infantry. My jump school was in 1972 July and August. For a fifty year old man to go through jump school is remarkable and speaks to his toughness. I know for a fact that jump school was predicated on the old style school from WWII and was no joke during his time, or mine. All student ranks in the school were considered equal with now distinctions between student ranks. A black hat, (airborne school instructor) would drop a private or General anytime for additional physical training. Both General Stillwell Sr. and his son were amazing men. Much respect sent and thanks again for a brilliant historical look at some famous people and weapons.

I have the Colt 1903 that my father in law Lt. Bertrand Morton Ball who piloted a B24 in WW2 and was shot down over Czechoslovakia, when captured his arms were taken away. He and some of his crew were able to escape with the help of the underground. He was reactived and given new equipment, the Colt 1903 he was given was never fired, ( I believe) and I have that gun!

The 1903, 1908 and the Commander model of 1911's were (GOP) general officer pistols for their personal use. General Patton had this model and many others he carried such as his 1911, a 38/44 Smith & Wesson and his 1873 Colt SAA. He paid to have custom engraved Ivory grips with his initials GSP put on most, but not all.

Another great lesson about the history of old firearms. Thanks for doing so. 🇳🇱👍🏻🇺🇲

13:20 Yeah, he was a bad ass. A Distinguished Service Cross, two Purple Hearts and three Bronze Stars... he was no slouch

Did you and Ian conspire to come out with videos about Colt 1903s within 2 hours of each other??? Looks like it's going to be an excellent day, I better buy some lottery tickets and go fishing too.

Very interesting background story on this pistol! Thank you for sharing!

This was a great little documentary on the Stilwells. Thanks

A soldier’s general❤️

Great video, great history, great gun. Thank you for preserving this.

Another great presentation which is why this past resident of Bucks County usually hits the thumbs-up before viewing.

Great 👍 history, and a nice colt🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

You have a pic of a Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, when you mention "Cider Joe's" going down enroute to Hawaii. Actually he was flying in a C-47 [that was to be sold to the Royal Thai AF by Air Ferry International, of Pacific Palisades, Calif.] Gen Stillwell, Jr. was flying with his friend, and company owner, Hal Grimes, on the San Francisco-Hawaii leg to build up his mullti-engine instrument log time. Grimes radioed that the aircraft had lost one engine and was returning to SFO. A Coast Guard chase plane was unable to find the Gooney Bird when reaching the assumed position 2 hours later. The C-47 was never seen again. [Source: Deseret News, 26 July '66.]

What a great video and thanks for showing the history of two of America's finest soldiers.

You always bring us the coolest of gun porn. Thank you so much for sharing this!

Another very interesting and informative video! Good job 👍

Wow Tom, Thanks for that great video.

Definitely two American heroes that need to be more recognized

If the war is considered a wrong war to fight, the soldiers fights with their lives. Do not blame them or pour guilt on them for decisions made by politicians, that the citiczens of Your country has choosen to lead the country, the guilt is spread even on the voters and their leaders. As a soldier, it is Your duty to serve your country, in the best way You can. And afterwards there is the Countrys duty to take care of the soldiers and the loved ones that are left behind if the soldiers have to pay the ultimate prize in their service. Especially if You are a conscript, then You do never have the possibility to say NO. If You are under contract, it is the same, You could not just stand up in a fire fight to say "I Quit". Civilians do not understand this line of thought. They think it is like, "quit your job if your boss is an "idiot," who do not see the potential in you, like the 9 bosses before him". Sorry for the ramblings, but the treatment of veterans, what ever war they fought in, is bad in most countries, and that makes me angry.

Excellent pistol. My Grandfather had one. I think they started reproducing them again. The OSS used them because that caliber was easier to obtain in Europe during world War Two.

Purple Heart ribbons are only awarded for wounds/injuries while in combat, not for training accidents. Otherwise, a very interesting video.

Very Cool Colt 1903 !!!!!!!!!!!! Also thanks for the history of this Firearm , Sir !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

True American hero’s, thank you for the great video

Very nice video, Sir. Regards, Marky

Great story. TY.

Full Bird Colonels were issued the GOP (General Officers Pistol ) in anticipation of their first Star. Although production ceased @ Colt, in 1945-46, Pistols were made up from parts, & continued to be issued to GOP, through Vietnam. www. u.s.armamentcorp.com makes the second version of this gun now. It is offered in Parkerized, Standard Blue, Royal Blue and, in Sept 2020 Nickel. Retiring Officers were to turn in their guns and some did, however some paid the $50. & kept their gun, along with the GOP Belt & Holster.

Have a good day great video.

I never heard about Cider Joe, it would have been nice if you would have said something about his Air Medals, 23 awards should recognized. Cider Joe was a Vietnam Hero.

É linda essa Colt

Wow Now your talking real piece of Ameican History Would love to own. Have a 1908 owned by a Bridgideier General and it needs to be a pair.

Sehr schön erzählt.

When you get the Colt factory letter the finish will always say blue even if it was Parkerized. The only useful info you get from the letter is the shipping date and destination. For what little actual info they provide the Colt letters are a waste of money.

The Supreme Allied Commander in that theater (Burma) was from the United Kingdom; not Stilwell.

Lol that De Espresso Liber OSS insignia.

Thank you!!!!

I have been looking for a early 1903 gun a pre 1912 fire blue one but can’t find them that often. Tom if you get one with strong fire blue small parts I’m coming for it!

Joe Jr was in Special Forces when it was detrimental to his career. At that time there were no higher level jobs in Special Operations. There was no SOCOM or JSOC etc. if he had stayed with the regular army he would have died as a 4 Star.

Salute!!

I love these video's. great guns so go ahead and educate me.

Hard to believe one could make a video about the legendary M1903 and never mention the legend who designed it - JOHN MOSES BROWNING - nor the fact that it was the original CCW, owned by the famous and infamous alike. John Dillinger, Al Capone, Willy Sutton, Bonnie Parker and Tojo all owned it. Rick Blain even shot Major Strasser with one!

you don't get a purple heart for a training accident. Purple Hearts are given for wounds due to enemy action.

Was the squared rear sight from later production? I’ve only ever seen a rounded rear sight

great!

Around 10:40 you say Gen Stillwell got a Purple Heart for a training accident when his parachute malfunctioned. The Purple Heart is not awarded for training accidents or jump injuries unless as a direct result of enemy action. It's an award for injury received in combat not an award for just getting hurt.while in service.

Vinegar Joe!

Nice presentation and story, but please, with all due respect, it’s “anecdote”, not “antidote”...Thanks again, big fan of the channel.

also fucking bad ass. Imagine being able to have a semi automatic weapon or even a burst or full auto and he chose a bolt action rifle

interesting, thanks. (:

Sad that those heroes gave the same in unpopular wars - not honored and remembered 😞

My dad was in Korea during the hot war, cut do you think I could get him to talk about it? Nope! After his stroke I found out he was at chosin where he lost a couple a toes to frostbite. More like frost rot. He then was set to guarding the m.a.s.h. unit he had convolesed at. He only told me one thing about being in the military, officers make great targets. I've got to say, I concur. Good luck to everyone out in this fubared world.

Patton had one of these.

It's unfortunate that he's largely forgotten lumped into the other sons of WW2 generals like general Patton IV

25 air medals, that’s pretty impressive.

the remakes are very expensive

In the photo of Stillwell with Mountbatten, it almost appears as if Stillwell is wearing a German issue field cap.

Hey I've tried to email you guys about a k98 dress bayonet and haven't gotten a response get i say wondering if that's normal or if they usually respond thanks

Wasn't General Stillwells nickname "vinegar"?

You should buy my gun! It’s so rare and belongs to a general! I’m level 97 in Call Of Duty and there’s only 1 AR-14 like mine!

General Stilwell senior died in 1946

Vinegar Joe Stillwell...

Why did the US Army issue the 1903 not the 1908? .380 makes more sense....

The best anecdote I ever heard about "Piss and Vinegar" Stilwell, was that he referred to fdr as "old rubber legs." LOL!!!!!!! If this offends you, GOOD, I'm glad! You deserve it! Boo hoo!

why does that look like a tokarev

What a gay gun for him to own, should have went with the hi power