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Model 1903/08 Hammerless Instruction Sheet PDF (1.3MB)
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Colt Model M "U.S. PROPERTY" Marked .380 ACP
Serial Number M137301
Issued to Brigadier General Joseph Burton Sweet
 with Details of his Distinguished Military Career

Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless .380 ACP pistol serial number M137301 - Model M .380 pistol issued to Brigadier General Joseph Burton Sweet - In 1943, he was appointed to the rank of Brigadier General and was presented his Colt 1908 .380 caliber sidearm, serial number M137301. The "M" indicates that the ejector and extractor were modified by Colt's after a problem with these pistols was identified.  The magazines were also modifies and the toe of the modified magazines were also "M" marked.  This gun came with an original kraft box numbered to another Colt .380 in the 137000 serial number range. (not pictured)

General Sweet's .380 pistol - right side

  Brigadier General Joseph Burton Sweet
(October 22, 1892 - January 16, 1974)

Brigadier General Joseph Burton Sweet Born in Denver, Colorado, on October 22, 1892.  B.S. from Kansas State Agricultural College in 1917.  Commissioned in the infantry in 1917.  Graduated fro the Command and General Staff School in 1933 and the Army War College in 1937.  Served at Fort William McKinley, Philippine Islands September 1920 - August 1922.  Professor of military science and tactics at Fairmount College, Kansas August 1922 - August 1926.  Instructor at the Infantry School May 1927 - May 1931.  Duty with the 21st Infantry Brigade in Hawaii in 1936.  Assigned to headquarters of VIII Corps Area May 1937 - July 1941.  Duty in the office of the chief of infantry July 1941 - March 1942, at headquarters of Army Ground Forces March - December 1942 and headquarters of Service of Supply December 1942 - October 1943.  Brigadier General in April 1943.  Director of the motor transport service, Persian Gulf Command October 1943 - January 1945.  While stationed overseas, General Sweet learned of his son's death (Captain Robert Sweet, a B-24 pilot), who was killed in action.  Assigned to headquarters of Army Ground Forces in 1945.  Retired in June 1948.  Decorations included the Legion of Merit.  General Sweet died on January 16, 1974.

After his son's untimely death General Sweet became a surrogate father to his grandson, Robert Sweet who eventually became a Captain (like his father) and a bomber instructor pilot.   The younger Captain Sweet, like his father, flew B-52 combat missions in the Pacific, although the war was then in Viet Nam, not Japan. General Sweet and his son, Captain Robert Sweet are buried side by side in Arlington Cemetery.  General Sweet's grandson Robert retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Air Force.


PROMOTIONS  

General Sweet received the following promotions throughout his military career:

Promotions

Temporary (AUS)

Permanent (RA)

Brigadier General

 

1943

Brigadier General - Retired

 

1948

DECORATIONS

Brigadier General Sweet's citations and decorations included the Legion of Merit.

Left side pictured with two spare "M" marked two-tone magazines.

Pistol has total of three original magazines, all "M" marked.
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