“Accept nothing less than full victory!” – General Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 6, 1944
Operation Overlord. The Longest Day. The Normandy Invasion. It was a day unlike any the world had ever known – or will know again. Time has not dimmed the memories of June 6, 1944. The triumph of “The Longest Day” and the deeds of those brave men are deeply etched in history.
On that day, our nation led the way in one of the most significant events in the history of warfare – the D-Day invasion. This was the greatest airborne-amphibious operation ever staged. Its scale hailed as “majestic” by Winston Churchill – 5,000 ships, together with 11,000 other craft, supported by over 11,000 aircraft hurled almost a quarter of a million men against Hitler’s vaunted “Fortress Europe”. By the end of the day on June 6, 1944, the combined forces of Americans, British, Canadian, and other Allies had established a foothold on the European mainland, bringing about the beginning of the end of Nazism’s tyrannical hold.
Now, we remember the valor of those brave Americans of World War II through this issuance of a Colt .45 pistol, the immortal sidearm of America’s Armed Forces for 75 years. To honor all those brave Americans who fought in the world’s greatest battle, America Remembers proudly presents the D-Day Tribute Pistol, a classically decorated Colt® Government Model® Pistol in caliber .45 ACP. Craftsmen commissioned specifically by America Remembers decorate both sides of the blued steel slide in elegant 24-karat gold and nickel artwork.
“This operation is not being planned with any alternatives. This operation is planned as a victory, and that’s the way it’s going to be. We’re going down there, and we’re throwing everything we have into it, and we’re going to make it a success.” – General Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 6, 1944
The Classic Colt .45 Pistol – The Trusted WWII Sidearm
Perhaps no other weapon has more instant recognition than “Old Slabsides”, the .45. Throughout WWII, it served at the side of America’s fighting men. The Colt .45 pistol personifies the generations of Americans who served with it: fearless, dependable, and effective. It is an American-made firearm legend that defended our liberty through major world wars and history-making conflicts. This pistol is still considered by generations of American Veterans to be one of the best and most powerful military sidearms ever issued. That is why we chose the classic Colt .45 Pistol for the D-Day Tribute.
The Tribute features artwork of troops landing on D-Day on the Normandy Beaches, paratroopers, and other familiar D-Day scenes. Also featured is artwork with a rifle in the ground and a helmet on top with words beneath reading, “LEST WE FORGET”. As a final touch, the faux ivory grips on both sides feature a soldier landing on Normandy Beach with a “D-Day” banner above him, framed by the code names for the five beach landing sites.
Featured on both sides of the pistol is artwork with a rifle in the ground with a helmet on top with words beneath that read, “LEST WE FORGET”. At times, the rifle and helmet were placed in the earth above a buried fallen troop as a marker. This is a reminder that we can’t forget the selfless sacrifices these troops made.
The faux ivory grips on both sides feature a soldier landing on Normandy Beach with a “D-Day” banner above him. In a banner surrounding the soldier are the Allied Forces’ names for the five sections dividing the beaches of Normandy. U.S. troops invaded Utah and Omaha beaches, while British forces invaded Gold and Sword, and Canadian forces were assigned to Juno.
In the first scene on the left side of the pistol, a Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) glides past soldiers coming ashore on D-Day. To the right of that scene, troops are streaming towards Omaha Beach in a LCVP. The focal point of the left side features artwork of Army troops wading ashore on D-Day. This artwork is surrounded by a banner that reads, “D-Day, June 6, 1944, The Longest Day”.
To the right of the focal point are American paratroopers who, on D-Day, began the attack on German troops. The 101st and 82nd U.S. Airborne Divisions were released on the Cherbourg peninsula and these divisions suffered great losses. The standard parachutist pack included the trusty .45 caliber Colt pistol. To the far right of the left side of the pistol are soldiers helping survivors come ashore from a sunken landing craft. The waters off Utah were covered with mines and obstacles.
On the right side of the pistol, a scene depicts the difficult cliffs at Pointe du Hoc which were scaled by the 2nd Rangers Battalion. As troops tried to climb, some of their ropes were cut by the enemy. Then to the right is a banner that reads, “ACCEPT NOTHING LESS THAN FULL VICTORY”, the famous words from Dwight Eisenhower addressed to the Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force before the D-Day invasion.
In the center of the right side are Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) which carried military vehicles, cargo, and landing troops on Normandy Beach. To the right of that is a U.S. Army half-track carrying troops on Normandy Beach in the days following the D-Day invasion. On the far right of the right side are troops in an LCVP coming onto Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Reserve Now – Only 500 Available
Only 500 Tributes will be produced in this edition. We will arrange delivery of your working pistol through a licensed firearms dealer of your choice. If for any reason you are less than satisfied with the Tribute, you may return it in original, unfired condition within 30 days for a full refund.
Perhaps you, a friend or family member were one of those brave men. Or perhaps you are a proud American who recognizes our debt to the World War II generation of Americans who so proudly served our country. By honoring D-Day, World War II, and the generation which fought it, you keep America’s faith and spirit alive for the generations to come.
When American forces landed on the beaches of Normandy so many years ago, they defined a moment for an entire generation. It is with great and solemn pride that we issue the D-Day Tribute Pistol to honor these brave men. Each is a lasting tribute to “The Greatest Generation” of freedom loving Americans who fought and sacrificed to ensure freedom would reign.
Display Case Available:
An optional custom-built, wooden display case is available for purchase.
Shipping Procedures
Since the “D-Day Tribute Pistol” is a working Colt .45 Pistol, we will arrange delivery through a licensed firearms dealer of your choice. (Not available in California, Maryland or Massachusetts)
Order
I wish to reserve the “D-Day Tribute Pistol,” a working Colt .45 pistol, at the current issue price of $2,195. Each pistol is numbered within the edition limit of 500 and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Thirty day return privilege.
Please charge my credit card a deposit of $195 per pistol. I will pay the balance at the rate of $100 per month, with no interest or carrying charge.
* All orders are subject to acceptance and credit verification prior to shipment. Sales tax is required in certain states and will be added. Shipping and handling will be added to each order. Virginia residents please add sales tax.
