S&W Model 36 revolver carried by CH-47 pilot in Vietnam 1970-71.

[SavageM1Thompson]

I found this historical revolver on an auction site and was able to get it. For privacy concerns, I will not name the veteran who served 20 years in the Army including 2 tours in Nam. I contacted the veteran and he agreed to type up a letter documenting his revolver. The said he carried it between his legs in a canvas holster while on missions! He even had a Thompson submachine gun that he traded 2 AC units for! As luck would have it, I found someone selling original slides from his unit the 132nd ASHC on eBay. One of the slides showed 3 men and he identified one man as his Captain and another man as his roommate! I'm happy to add this piece to my collection. I believe this was made between 1962 - 1968.

 

[luvsmiths]

That's a sweet piece of History.

 

[Enzo Rules]

Great piece of history.

 

[Truckman]

I have a few known historical S&W's and I'm always on the lookout for more documentation for them...That's a nice military connection on that one......Ben

 

[SavageM1Thompson]

Thanks for the nice comments guys! The vet was selling it himself. I contacted him when I first saw his auction and said I would buy it and asked if he would come up with a documentation letter and maybe if he could supply a picture of him in the service? He said it was not worth his time and effort so I just kept an eye on it. No one was buying it even after he reduced the price twice. I gave it one more shot and asked if he would reconsider and I would pay him his original price. He agreed and we did the deal. We spoke on the phone and he actually was a nice guy. I'm glad I didn't give up on it!

 

[ImDrRich]

Thanks for sharing that!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Good for you for pursuing the story. It's a significant one.

Probably shipped sometime in 1966.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[Rudi]

A great piece!

 

[.455_Hunter]

Sad it's not staying in his family. If that was my Dad's, the concept of selling it wouldn't even be in the conversation.

 

[Retired W4]

Many of us were in the habit of rotating our pistol belt so the revolver rode between our legs. A little added protection that was more mental than practical. The twin engine, twin main rotor Chinook is a big helicopter and hard to shoot down, but when the bullets are flying you never know where they will go. As for the Thompson, we had a communal M1A1 that was more for base camp protection and not too handy as a survival weapon in the cockpit. Most issue side arms were 4" 38 M&P's but there were so many off the books weapons floating around to chose from. Getting personal weapons home was a little tricky but not impossible. Shown below is Hal Birk, my hooch mate from my 2nd unit, the 190th AHC. Hal had been having a bad day.

Congratulations on acquiring that thing.

 

[SavageM1Thompson]

Many of us were in the habit of rotating our pistol belt so the revolver rode between our legs. A little added protection that was more mental than practical. The twin engine, twin main rotor Chinook is a big helicopter and hard to shoot down, but when the bullets are flying you never know where they will go. As for the Thompson, we had a communal M1A1 that was more for base camp protection and not too handy as a survival weapon in the cockpit. Most issue side arms were 4" 38 M&P's but there were so many off the books weapons floating around to chose from. Getting personal weapons home was a little tricky but not impossible. Shown below is Hal Birk, my hooch mate from my 2nd unit, the 190th AHC. Hal had been having a bad day.

Congratulations on acquiring that thing.

Thanks for your service and the interesting info you provided!

 

[SavageM1Thompson]

Sad it's not staying in his family. If that was my Dad's, the concept of selling it wouldn't even be in the conversation.

I feel the same way. Im a retired firefighter and I have my grandfathers fire badges. You could offer me a million dollars for them and I would turn it down!

 

[Retired W4]

SavageMi, one thing that is a bit strange is that Nathan V. would bring a weapon with him to Vietnam, especially a little 38 special. I'm not doubting his story but I don't know why he would do that seeing that the place was awash with 38 caliber revolvers. Surely he knew that, as he was on his second tour.

Oh, and if you are wondering how I knew his last name, I have my ways.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I feel the same way. Im a retired firefighter and I have my grandfathers fire badges. You could offer me a million dollars for them and I would turn it down!

But the question is; will your children or grandchildren take $1 Million?

Everyone has a price.

 

[SavageM1Thompson]

SavageMi, one thing that is a bit strange is that Nathan V. would bring a weapon with him to Vietnam, especially a little 38 special. I'm not doubting his story but I don't know why he would do that seeing that the place was awash with 38 caliber revolvers. Surely he knew that, as he was on his second tour.

Oh, and if you are wondering how I knew his last name, I have my ways.

I'll ask Nathan that question but I think he brought his own because he told me his issued Remington Rand 1911A1 was a piece of ****!

 

[SavageM1Thompson]

But the question is; will your children or grandchildren take $1 Million?

Everyone has a price.

They probably would!!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I took my Model 19 to Thailand.
Three times.
It's in the safe tight now.
Blue one.

 

[mckenney99]

My sister was engaged to a chopper pilot who went to Vietnam and he took his Ruger Blackhawk. I don't know the caliber, but imagine it was a 44 Mag. The engagement didn't take and I don't know what ever became of him. If he managed to make it back from Vietnam, he dodged 2 bullets by dumping my sister also.

 

[dobegrant]

Very neat history,thanks for sharing

 

[SavageM1Thompson]

My sister was engaged to a chopper pilot who went to Vietnam and he took his Ruger Blackhawk. I don't know the caliber, but imagine it was a 44 Mag. The engagement didn't take and I don't know what ever became of him. If he managed to make it back from Vietnam, he dodged 2 bullets by dumping my sister also.

Interesting that he brought over a Blackhawk as there is an example in the book I wrote on Vietnam war trophies last year.