*I do not have information regarding the various rare & uncommon frame
variations. If someone has this information and they would like to share,
I would love to add it. Back To Top
Desert Storm Glock
This was a 1991 series of 1000 Glock 17s which had special engraving on
it. A list of names of all the coalition countries is engraved down the top
of the slide; "Operation Desert Storm/January 16-February 27, 1991" is
engraved on the right side. On the left side is "New World Order/Commemorative".
The first 15 Desert Storm Glocks were special presentation models and had
the special "bright black" finish. The special engraving on these was also
slightly altered from the standard. These pistols were supposed to go to:
UD000US: George Bush, Commander-in-Chief
UD001US: Gen. H. Norman Schwartzkopf III (Commander-in-Chief, CentCom)
UD002US: James Baker III (Secy of State)
UD003US: Gen. Colin Powell (Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff)
UD004US: Dick Cheney (Secy of Defense)
UD005US: Brent Scowcroft (National Security Advisor)
UD006US: Lt. Gen. Thomas Kelly
UD007US: Lt. Gen. Chuck Horner (Commander, Air Forces, CentCom)
UD008US: Maj. Gen. Robert B Johnston (Chief-of-Staff, CentCom)
UD009US: Lt. Gen. Calvin Waller (Dpty Commander-in-Chief, CentCom)
UD010US: Lt. Gen. Walter Boomer (Commander, I MEF)
UD011US: Vice Adm. Stanley Arthur (Commander, Naval Forces, CentCom)
UD012US: Maj. Gen. William "Gus" Pagonis (Chief of Logistics, CentCom)
UD013US: Brig. Gen. Richard Neal (Operations Ofcr., CentCom)
Part of the special engraving was these men's names and ranks engraved on
the slide. In addition all of these special presentations along with the
next 35 Desert Storm Glocks came with the Wooden Display case made specially
for the Desert Storm Glocks. The remaining 950 Desert Storm Commemoratives
came in the standard Glock Box, but with desert camoflage labels.
[MakeMineA10mm]
This is the lid of the box that the Desert Storm Commemorative comes in.
In addition to the camoflage label on the top lid, there are special
indications on the standard box labels on the ends which indicate it to be a
Desert Storm Commemorative. [MakeMineA10mm]
These are pictures of the left and right sides of the slide. There are
special markings on both sides, however they are restricted to the
muzzle-end of the slide ahead of the ejection port area. Compare this to
the full-length engraving down the top of the slide in a picture below.
Also note that the normal markings for caliber and model are still there.
[MakeMineA10mm]
The absolutely most interesting feature of the Desert Storm Glock is the
top of the slide, shown here. The entire length of the slide has the names
of all the countries in the Desert Storm coalition engraved in it, both
above AND below the ejection port. The Desert Storm Commemorative is the
only Glock that has special markings/engraving on the top of the slide right
from the factory. [MakeMineA10mm] Back To Top
10th Anniversary Commemorative Glock
This was a series of 200 Glock 17s sold in velvet-lined black
leather cases with all accessories in individual compartments. The series
was commissioned by Dynamite Nobel, the European distributor of the Glock
for at least it's first 12 or so years of existence. Sold only in Europe.
[MakeMineA10mm] Back To Top
Army Aviators' Glock
The Apache Pilot Commemorative is one of a series known as the Army Aviator's
Commemoratives. These were made by Glock in 1994 for the Army Aviators
Association of America, and most of them were sold through that organization,
although I remember seeing an advertisement for them in one of my father's
veteran's organizations news magazines (possibly the American Legion?). I know
there were, at least, commemoratives made for the Apache, Kiowa Warrior and
Blackhawk. I believe, but have nothing other than my spotty memory to verify,
that there were also models made for the Huey (Iroquois), and Cobra.
[MakeMineA10mm]
Picture of the Apache commemorative sent in by Terry: Back To Top
Atlanta Olympic Security Glock
This was a 1996 series of 2000 G17s that were made for the Security Team
members at the Olympics. According to a friend of mine who worked there and
ordered three of them, Glock would let you order up to three per member. I have
one and the only thing special about it is the engraving on the right side
which simply says, "Security Team, Atlanta GA 1996" This Glock came in a
standard Glock box, but an etched-glass topped wooden display case came with
it. Glock made these because it was a sponsor of the 96 Olympics, and as all
the sponsors did, Glock wanted to cash in on some publicity. :-) Glock recently
sold the remaining 40-50 of these it still had that none of the Team members
ordered. [MakeMineA10mm]
The close-up photo shows the only special engraving on the '96 Atlanta
Olympic Commemorative Glock 17. This engraving is on the right side of the
slide towards the muzzle, just ahead of the ejection port. The really
special feature of the Olympic Glock is the wooden case. There is red felt
lining over foam rubber with a cut-out for the G-17. In the photo with the
lid in the closed position, the etching in the plexiglass lid can be seen.
Along the top center is "Security Team", in the top left corner is the Glock
Logo, and along the bottom center is "Atlanta GA, 1996". The "extras" you
can see in the photo with the lid open were added to the simple case by
yours truly. The three pins in a pyramid shape under the trigger guard are
"collar pins" (miniatures of the badges) in three different colors (white,
black, & green) which were issued to members of the security team. The
three pins to the left of the Glock are the Departmental Commemorative Pins
for the three local law enforcement agencies in whose jurisdictions the
games were held: Gwinnett Co. Police (the Shield), Atlanta PD (the blue
bar), and Fulton Co. Sheriff's Dept. (the star). The badge in the lower
left corner is the uniform badge of Security Team members who were local Law
Enforcement Officers with full police powers, and the badge in the upper
right corner is for the Security Team members who were "out-of-town" Law
Enforcement Officers who had limited or no police powers. The silver shield
pin in the upper left hand corner is the Glock "10th Anniversary" pin, which
was given to Security Team members by Glock, but was not included with the
"left-over" Security Team Glocks which were/are recently for sale through
commercial channels. [MakeMineA10mm] Back To Top
Bell Helicopter Glock
In 1997 Glock produced a special edition to commemorate the 50th anniversary
of Bell Helicopter. The Glock was a model 23 with the Atlanta 1996 Olympic
logo on the top of the slide and the Bell 50 Year "Ping" logo on the right
side of the slide. The guns has special serial numbers in the form BELL###
and 73 were made. Here's a set of pictures sent in by Joe Vonesh Back To Top
The 2,000,000th Glock
In 1999 Glock produced a very special commemorative to celebrate its 2,000,000th
pistol. Like most other commemoratives it is a model 17, and it is adorned with
unique engraving. On right hand side of the slide are the words "My 2 millionth
pistol" along with Gaston Glock's signature. The entire top and sides of the
slide are also covered with engraved scrolling. The pistol, serial number DAP000US,
was sold by silent auction and went to a winning bid of $9,300. Glock donated the
entire proceeds plus a matching donation to C.O.P.S., a foundation for widows and
orphans of officers killed in the line of duty.
In addition, an almost-duplicate pistol engraved almost the same way was
sold in Europe. Gaston's "Two-Millionth-and-First Pistol".
[MakeMineA10mm] Back To Top
Alaskan Glock
The Alaskan Glock is a series limited to 100 G-27s that were
sold only in Alaska. Reportedly, the Alaskan Distributor, in concert with
Glock, made these in the hopes of increasing sales in Alaska. Only 100
made, came in standard Glock box. [MakeMineA10mm]
This pic is of the right side of the slide, near the muzzle (in front of
the ejection port) showing the only special marking on the pistol.
[MakeMineA10mm] Back To Top
NRA Commemorative
A series of 725 Glock22s made in 2000. They were auctioned off at Friends of the NRA
events around the country.
Picture contributed by cc19 Back To Top
GSSF 10th Anniversary Commemorative
The GSSF Commemorative Glock was released in 2001 through and for the Glock
Shooting Sports Foundation. Only members were allowed to order, and they
were sold at the same price as direct sales to officers costs ($398.20 +
$10.00 S&H). These 1000 pistols were to commemorate the 10th Anniversary
of the organization which Glock, Inc. set up to encourage the use of Glock
pistols in a competition that would not be dominated by professional
shooters. For more info on GSSF go to [link]. Another unique thing about
the GSSF Glock is that they do not have the "US" at the end of the serial
number. Presumably, this was in order to fit the organization's initials into
the serial number. Back To Top
America's Heroes Glocks
The America's Heroes Glocks are a new series distributed by Accu-Sport in 2002.
They commemorate the fidelity, sacrifice, zeal and honor of the firefighting
and law enforcement communities as demonstrated on September 11, 2001 during
the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City.
The series consists of 1000 each G17s, G22s, & G21s. These Glocks are
marked on the right side of the slide with a maltese cross (symbolizing
firefighting) and a star (symbolizing law enforcement) with an arched banner
between which says "America's Heroes". Below the banner is the date: 09-11-01.
These Glocks are unique in two ways:
This is the first time Glock has produced a large-frame commemorative,
with the G-21, and
The engraving is unique, compared to all previous commemoratives, in
that the design is not cut into the metal. Rather, it is printed in a
bronze-color, which, except for the color itself, appears much like Smith and
Wesson's "Laser Engraving".
Not unique, as other commemorative or limited editions have had the same
situation (GSSF Commemorative and Defense Sets), but these also do not have
the "US" serial number suffix. Back To Top
Glock Defense Set
The Glock Defense set is a special release ordered by a pair of Glock
distributors in 1996. Each set consists of a G19 & G26 or a G23 & G27. There
were 500 9mm sets with serial numbers AAA0000 - AAA0499 for the G19 and
AAB0000 - AAB0499 for the G26 and 1500 .40 sets with serial numbers AAC0000
- AAC1499 for the G23 and AAD0000 - AAD1499 for the G27. Unlike most other
Glocks sold in the United States they do not have "US' in the serial number.
The compacts are marked "One of Two" on the slide and the subcompacts are
marked "Two of Two". They were not very popular and dealers often split the
sets and sold each gun separately. Back To Top
Compensated G17L (G17LC?)
Just to set the record straight, the ported barrel was the original bbl for the
17L. Glock recalled them after too many of them cracked and caused expensive
warranty work. (As well as making them look bad, and these were the Karl Walter
days when there was no such thing as a bad Glock feature...) Glock replaced the
ported bbls with non-ported ones, and they have the L### on them in place of
the serial number. [MakeMineA10mm] Back To Top
Original G18C
Early G18s had a 5 inch barrel that extended 1 inch past the end of the slide.
The extended portion of the barrel had 3 ports cut into the top. Only about 7
of the first G18s had the extended ported barrels. They were discontinued due
to front sights being blackened or completely blown off. Back To Top
9x21 G19
Perhaps the rarest of all Glocks is the 9X21 G19. Three special agents of the
US Naval Investigative Service were being stationed in Italy with some work
being done incognito. Since it is illegal for civilians to carry standard 9mm
(9X19) weapons, Glock produced 3 model 19s chambered for the 9X21 cartridge.
The pistols are marked with the new caliber on the frame and barrel and have
serial numbers EN260US, EN261US and EN262US. Back To Top
G17 with factory external safety (G17S?)
Glock has manufactured a number of Glock 17 pistols fitted with an external,
1911-style, manual safety. The pistols were made at the request of the
Tasmanian Police force. The actual number of pistols produced, date of manufacture
and other details are not known. Here's a set of pictures sent in by Nigel Brayley Back To Top
Glock Collector's Association
The Glock Collectors Association is a not-for-profit corporation, formed to
promote the collection of, research of, and preservation of Glock firearms,
products and related collectibles for posterity. The association provides a
means for the exchange of information through meetings and displays. The
association also publishes a newsletter with information of interest to Glock
enthusiasts and collectors.
v 15.4 - 3 / 5 / 2008
Back To Top
This is the first time Glock has produced a large-frame commemorative,
with the G-21, and
