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*COLT MODEL 1911-A1 SEMI-AUTO MILITARY PISTOL WITH GENERAL OFFICER'S BELT AND HOLSTER RIG IDENTIFIED

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
*COLT MODEL 1911-A1 SEMI-AUTO MILITARY PISTOL WITH GENERAL OFFICER'S BELT AND HOLSTER RIG IDENTIFIED
SN 1155733. Cal. 45 ACP. Standard M1911-A1, Parkerized finish with 5" bbl, standard fixed sights and usual markings. Is mounted with checkered brown plastic grips with large donuts surmounted by 4 silver stars on a bar on each grip. Accompanied by another set of identical grips with 3 stars on each side. Also accompanied by an orig Hickok russet brown leather general officer's belt, buckle, holster and magazine pouch, containing 2 all blue military magazines. Consignor states that he purchased this pistol at a yard sale in the Washington D.C. area many years ago and has retained it ever since. He states that the mailbox in front of the house bore the name "W.F. Mckee". General William Fulton Mckee was born October 1906 in Virginia, graduated from West Point in June 1929 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Coast Artillery. He had a variety of assignments in Texas and California, was promoted to 1st Lt in 1934 and in 1935 was assigned to the Philippines where he served 3 years as Regimental Adjutant and later Battery Commander of the 92nd Coast Artillery. He returned to the U.S. in early 1939 to California and then to Puerto Rico and became Capt in June 1939. In August 1941 he returned to the U.S. and was promoted to Major in October 1941. He became Lt Col. in April 1942 and to full Col. that September. He served in a variety of posts in Washington related to anti-aircraft and air-drome defense and in February 1945 became Brigadier General. In 1946 he was assigned to Paris as the Commanding General of the European division and in Dec 1946 was assigned to Weisbaden, Germany where he became Commanding General of HQ USAFE. He returned to the U.S. in late 1947 as assistant Vice Chief of Staff USAF and was promoted to Major Gen in Feb 1948. From there he was assigned to the Air Material Command as Vice Commander in May 1953 and received his 3rd star in Aug 1957. On 1 August 1961 he was promoted to full General and named Commander of Air Force Logistics Command. In July 1964 he moved to Washington as Vice Chief of Staff under Gen. Curtis LeMay and retired 31 July 1964. Upon retirement he became the assistant administrator for Management Development at NASA and in June 1965 was appointed Director of the Federal Aviation Agency. Gen Mckee died Feb 28, 1987. PROVENANCE: General William F. McKee. CONDITION: Pistol is extremely fine, retaining about 98% strong orig Parkerized finish. Grips are fine, although the stars would make shooting a near impossibility. Belt and holster rig are fine with some minor crackling and slight loss of finish with one belt loop on the inside damaged. Buckle is very fine, retaining virtually all of its orig gold finish. 4-49226 JR103