General George S. Patton, Jr.—probably the most colorful of all U.S. military leaders—has probably been best remembered for his leadership on the battlefield and his iconic firearms. More prominent are his ivory-handled pistols, and it thus now serves as a trademark for his other-than-life image of his relentless pursuit of excellence on the battlefield.
Patton was known to carry an ivory-handled Smith & Wesson Model 27 during World War II, chambered in the gut-busting .357 Magnum – at that time, the world’s very first magnum pistol cartridge. Patton called this revolver his “killing gun,” attesting to his penchant for strong and rugged weapons. The .357 Magnum, developed in direct response to jacketed .38 caliber shortcomings during the Prohibition period, provided nearly twice the velocity and three times the energy of the tried-and-true parent design. It was a cartridge born of necessity to combat the more powerfully armed outlaws of its period.
Patton’s love of the .357 Magnum wasn’t strictly about raw firepower. Patton followed the development of the cartridge very closely and ordered his famous “Registered Magnum” in the first month it was available to him. Besides all his other ivory-handled pistols, this gun became part of his ‘image’: aggressive, hard-hitting, and relentless warfare.
In addition to his .357 Magnum, Patton also carried a Colt .45 Single Action Army with an ivory-gripped revolver, which added even more to his reputation as a hard hitter and fearless leader. This Colt .45, often captured in photographs featuring Patton, became not only a sidearm to this general but symbolically represented his command style and his readiness to lead from the front.
The legacy of Patton’s firearms extends beyond their use in combat. They are historic, symbolizing the invincible spirit of one of America’s greatest military commanders. This working stainless steel Colt. 45, dedicated to General George S. Patton, Jr., is fitting for this occasion of the WWII 75th Anniversary Tribute Pistol. This tribute pistol features 24-karat gold artwork, with blackened patinaed highlights, depicting four major World War II campaigns: North Africa, Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Crossing of the Rhine into Germany.
Patton’s impact on military strategy and leadership is immense. His aggressive tactics and inspirational oratory have left an almost indelible mark on the U.S. Army; much of whose strategies were incorporated in training programs long after he was dead. His impact is more so testified by the M46 Patton tank, a type of battle tank named in his honor, testifying to his impact on armored warfare.
To this very day, General Patton stands as probably the greatest field commander in U.S. history. His firearms remain robust emblems of his leadership, just as his guns stand as strong testaments to his unyielding quest for victory. Today, in the memory and recall of heroes from World War II, the image of Patton’s legacy reestablishes a view of courage and determination that defined his command.