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Photos Courtesy of LTC Bruce Coyne
Colt Model M .380 ACP
issued to Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe - Issues to BG McAuliffe in
1942, this Colt M1908 a more powerful .380 ACP version of
the .32 ACP Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Pistol.
Both models of pistols were issued to US Army General
Officers from WWII until the 1970s. These pistols were
more for ceremonial wear and usually stored as all the
wartime photos of General McAuliffe show him wearing the
more powerful and practical standard M1911A1 .45 Automatic
Pistol. This pistol and its matching issue holster
were donated to the Pratt Museum by the General's daughter
after the death of hear parents.
Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe
B.G. Anthony McAuliffe was Divisional
Artillery commander of the 101st, except for a brief period
in Normandy when he became Deputy Division Commander,
following General Pratt's death. MacAuliffe reverted to his
role as DIVARTY commander and while at the Bastogne siege,
served as Acting Divisional Commander for the first crucial
week. At Bastogne, the 101st was surrounded by seven German
divisions. McAuliffe's place in world history was assured
when he replied "Nuts!" to a formal German surrender
ultimatum on 22 December, 1944.
Accompanying General McAuliffe's pistol is the original WWII
vintage brown General Officer's holster.
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