Chief of Naval Operations South Vietnam Navy - S&W Model 48 / Browning Hi-Power

[Saigon1965]

I believe we all have cornerstones to our collection – This pair is up there in mine!

In May of 1975 – Operation Frequent wind was underway – The USS Cook was assigned to assist in support capacity to the South Vietnamese Navy – The Cook's assignment was to escort the ship commanded by the Chief of Naval Operations - Admiral Chang Tan Cang to Subic Bay in the Philippines - Upon coming aboard the Cook - Admiral Cang presented both of his pistols to the ship's Commander in his appreciation (It is my personal belief the Admiral's sidearms had to be given up)

A Smith & Wesson Model 48 and a Browning Hi-Power –

I had the S&W lettered – A colorful history it has (I had asked about the stocks here several years back)

It is engraved in Thai - Bangkok 253854 -

The Admiral had signed the inside of the S&W stock -

There are copies of the Cook's captains log -

A photo of the Admiral and Cook's Jerry McMurry along with the original negative - What size negative is it?

Signed copies of Frank Snepp's book - Decent Interval - Talked about the fall of Saigon and the saving of the SVN fleet -


We have big pictures for my old eyes!

I hope you'll enjoy these as I have!

Luong / Saigon1965 -


Both guns – Holstered

Both guns -

Hi-Power –

S&W –

On ship -

Negative –

S&W letter -

K –

Grip name –

Captain's log –

Hi power sign –

Decent interval –

 

[Peak53]

Wow! Those were difficult times and you have quite piece of it's history. Thanks for sharing with the forum.

 

[sigp220.45]

Holy smokes.

That is cool beyond words.

 

[stansdds]

Way cool!!!!!

 

[lkabug]

Great history.

 

[daglockman]

Great firearms, and accessories. Wonderful history and provenance to go with them. Thank you very much for sharing.

 

[cadmike]

Fascinating! Would not expect the 22 magnum, and i see it has a pinned in red ramp sight instead of the patridge the letter mentions. Seems like maybe the admiral knew what he wanted. Admiral Cang sure had taste in revolvers, for sure.

 

[M29since14]

It's a 4x5 color negative, most likely exposed with a "press camera," like a Speed Graphic or similar. A bit surprising it was still in use in 1988.

Great story and guns. Thanks for the pics.

(Edit) Correction... I see the photo was most likely made in 1975, which of course makes more sense. Senility must have temporarily overtaken me.

 

[M E Morrison]

I believe we all have cornerstones to our collection – This pair is up there in mine!

In May of 1975 – Operation Frequent wind was underway – The USS Cook was assigned to assist in support capacity to the South Vietnamese Navy – The Cook's assignment was to escort the ship commanded by the Chief of Naval Operations - Admiral Chang Tan Cang to Subic Bay in the Philippines - Upon coming aboard the Cook - Admiral Cang presented both of his pistols to the ship's Commander in his appreciation (It is my personal belief the Admiral's sidearms had to be given up)

A Smith & Wesson Model 48 and a Browning Hi-Power –

I had the S&W lettered – A colorful history it has (I had asked about the stocks here several years back)

It is engraved in Thai - Bangkok 253854 -

The Admiral had signed the inside of the S&W stock -

There are copies of the Cook's captains log -

A photo of the Admiral and Cook's Jerry McMurry along with the original negative - What size negative is it?

Signed copies of Frank Snepp's book - Decent Interval - Talked about the fall of Saigon and the saving of the SVN fleet -


We have big pictures for my old eyes!

I hope you'll enjoy these as I have!

Luong / Saigon1965 -


Both guns – Holstered

Both guns -

Hi-Power –

S&W –

On ship -

Negative –

S&W letter -

K –

Grip name –

Captain's log –

Hi power sign –

Decent interval –

amazing stuff - thanks for posting!

 

[Sistema1927]

The proof marks (if that is what they are) on that S&W 48 look like Egyptian hieroglyphics.

 

[Saigon1965]

Glad you Gents enjoy this!



It was indeed - As I was on one of those ships sailing around Con Son island then on to Subic bay - And here today collecting arms!

Wow! Those were difficult times and you have quite piece of it's history. Thanks for sharing with the forum.

So is the stocks - Changed to these beautiful ones -

Fascinating! Would not expect the 22 magnum, and i see it has a pinned in red ramp sight instead of the patridge the letter mentions. Seems like maybe the admiral knew what he wanted. Admiral Cang sure had taste in revolvers, for sure.

Thanks! That is cool indeed!

It's a 4x5 color negative, most likely exposed with a "press camera," like a Speed Graphic or similar. A bit surprising it was still in use in 1988.

Great story and guns. Thanks for the pics.

(Edit) Correction... I see the photo was most likely made in 1975, which of course makes more sense. Senility must have temporarily overtaken me.

It is in "Thai" sir -

The proof marks (if that is what they are) on that S&W 48 look like Egyptian hieroglyphics.

 

[triaxle]

That was a great story . Thank You .

 

[rwt1405]

Thank you for sharing the pictures, and the story that goes with them!

What a great pair!

 

[Saigon1965]

Thanks for enjoying Gents!


What's on the butt of the Browning? Proof marks?

 

[walnutred]

Great story! Was the Commander let handed?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Outstanding! Bravo Zulu as we say in the Navy!!!!

 

[Seven High]

The holster for the hi-power is interesting. It looks like it was hand made. Is there any information available on either holster?

 

[Dougdug]

Thank you for sharing that story!
Very interesting.

__________________
USS Hepburn FF-1055

 

[Saigon1965]

Thank you Gents!


Both holsters are right handed -

Great story! Was the Commander let handed?

Both holsters are theater made - With regrets no additional info -

The black holster I've seen numerous times in different configurations -

Most often seen on GI's hip low slung a-la-cowboy style -

The holster for the hi-power is interesting. It looks like it was hand made. Is there any information available on either holster?

 

[walnutred]

Thank you Gents!


Both holsters are right handed -

Yes, but the handwriting in the log looks like the writer was left handed.