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

[Saigon1965]

Ah! That I don't know sir -

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

April 30th, 1975 -

I remember the day well -

We were getting on the "Tien Phong" at Saigon harbor -

Last minute dad decided the fight is over - He looked at his 6 kids and wife and was humbled -

I am glad as I/we are all here today -

Thanks Dad!

 

[max503]

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.

A 22 magnum revolver would indicate he had some accurate, longish-range shooting in mind. Either that, or it was all he could get his hands on.

 

[Muley Gil]

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

Looks like a copy of the chest holster that many aircrewmen wore, right down to the "lift the dot" fastener.

 

[NavySCPO]

Frequent Wind/Eagle Pull

What a great story, thanks for sharing it and the pictures!

I know exactly where I was for Operations Frequent Wind and Eagle Pull. I was stationed with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1) on detachment to NAS Cubi Point, RP. Every command at Cubi had to provide personnel to assist with the refugees. I was on the pier at Grande Island checking all the Mike Boats as they ferried over from Naval Station Subic Bay. They wouldn't issue firearms to an Airdale (wise move), so for protection I was issued a US Marine in full battle gear, sidearm and a shotgun, I got the radio. I could talk all day about the personal belongs the refugees had, let's just say there was loads of cash, drugs, gold bars and coins, you name it, they probably brought it with them. But then they knew they weren't going back.

Great memories, thanks for stirring them up!

 

[DEL56]

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!




So is the stocks - Changed to these beautiful ones -




Thanks! That is cool indeed!




It is in "Thai" sir -

I can guarantee that it is Thai writing. I know because I read, write, and speak Thai. I lived and worked in Thailand for 16 years and also passed the Thai Government proficiency test.I hope that will satisfy that.

 

[old tanker]

Great pictures and history. Glad you and your family made it out. This date has significance.

In 1974, in the aftermath of Watergate, Democrats were elected in a landslide and the new Congress violated America's promise by cutting off funding for South Vietnam's self-defense. Then when the Communists attacked South Vietnam in massive force, Congress refused to honor America's pledge to come to their aid. The left's view seems to be North Vietnam's conquest had the happy result of reunification. Senator J. William Fulbright, who provided the forum for that spectacular liar John Kerry, said about the fall of Saigon that he was ". . . no more depressed than I would be about Arkansas losing a football game to Texas."

Trivializing the human cost of Communist victory, the Left ignores tens of thousands of executions, the million or so sent to brutal re-education camps, the panicked populace fleeing in rickety overpacked boats and dying by the tens of thousands. They neglect North Vietnam's obscene practice of bulldozing South Vietnamese graves, and the influx of North Vietnamese to take over the best farms, businesses, homes and jobs in South Vietnam. And they sweep under the rug America's shame, the betrayal of our ally, never mind the genocide by Communists as they murdered two million in Cambodia next door.

The legacy of these disastrous decisions haunts US policy today, heartening our enemies while making our friends nervous.

1. Every jihadi has learned Ho Chi Minh's lesson: To defeat the United States it is not necessary to beat their military on the battlefield, merely to outlast their feckless politicians.

2. The world has learned what an American promise to an ally is really worth.

 

[j38]

What a post! Thanks so much for the informative glimpse of the past.

Jerry

 

[OLDSTER]

Great guns, story, and photos. And that HP is a beautiful 1969 "T" series (manufactured 1964 to ca. 1971 ) to boot .

 

[LT7d103]

Thank you for sharing this piece of history. What beautiful T Series Browning P35 in original condition. I don't know S&W values well, but that T Series would bring a very good price with its provenance. Congratulations on your pieces of history.

 

[625-7]

I've a '68 T series Hi Power. No man should go to his grave without grabbing a handfull of an older HP. One of the best fitting mitt-filling accurate handguns ever made.

 

[TonyR]

Thanks for the post, very interesting indeed.

 

[bph9]

Its interesting to note that at the end of WWII a Japanese Air Force General was only persuaded to stay on in China to train the new post war Chinese Air Force after he was bribed with a John Inglis High Power Pistol. It was the most sought after pistol in both the European and Asian fronts in WWII by all sides in the fight. My Father carried the FN in a shoulder holster while fighting in Patton's 3rd Army and swore by the gun. He also brought it home with him.

Post Script. I was able after years of looking to acquire my own late 1940's FN High Power complete with military holster and two matching mags several years ago. Its my most prized pistol.

 

[bill-in-texas]

Merle,
Thank you for telling that part of history. Having been born in '64, I saw the fall of Saigon on TV as a child. Later, as an 11C (81 mm mortar) paratrooper, I served with more senior men who had "been there." That period in history has always fascinated me but I had never heard about the saving of the SVN. And, what very excellent handguns from an important figure, to boot!
Kind regards

 

[OLDSTER]

Its interesting to note that at the end of WWII a Japanese Air Force General was only persuaded to stay on in China to train the new post war Chinese Air Force after he was bribed with a John Inglis High Power Pistol. It was the most sought after pistol in both the European and Asian fronts in WWII by all sides in the fight. My Father carried the FN in a shoulder holster while fighting in Patton's 3rd Army and swore by the gun. He also brought it home with him.

Post Script. I was able after years of looking to acquire my own late 1940's FN High Power complete with military holster and two matching mags several years ago. Its my most prized pistol.

The story of the plans and specs. of the FN Hi-Power being sent (smuggled) to Canada and the John Inglis Company is intriguing in itself. HP fans should Google The Inglis HP and read it.

 

[Drm50]

I had a holster just like the one for S&W, made for 1911. In Anke. Locals made them up. I gave it to a forum member couple years back who was starting collection of Vietnam War items.

 

[majortoo]

Perhaps I missed it. Who has these historic sidearms now? How were they procured? As an old, Viet Nam veteran I feel sad about how we treated our allies.

 

[Class III]

GREAT collection. I've got a '66 T series HP that has less than 100 rounds down range since purchase and a '68 T series that goes to the range a LOT. It loves sub sonic 147 gr. Also have a 48-3 with the same smooth rosewood stocks.

BTW, The negative is shown in a reversed position. The notches are loaded into the film carrier either TOP RIGHT or BOTTOM LEFT. I've shot THOUSANDS of 4x5 sheet films and if shot in the position as shown you end up with an under exposed negative. If you have a color lab near you they should be able to make prints from the negative.

Class III

 

[Saigon1965]

Thank you all so much for enjoying my thread -



We were at sea for 7-8 days I can't recall ( I as 10 years old!) -

But here is my April 30th, 1975 thread on "Frequent Wind" -


April 30th, 1975 -

What a great story, thanks for sharing it and the pictures!

I know exactly where I was for Operations Frequent Wind and Eagle Pull. I was stationed with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1) on detachment to NAS Cubi Point, RP. Every command at Cubi had to provide personnel to assist with the refugees. I was on the pier at Grande Island checking all the Mike Boats as they ferried over from Naval Station Subic Bay. They wouldn't issue firearms to an Airdale (wise move), so for protection I was issued a US Marine in full battle gear, sidearm and a shotgun, I got the radio. I could talk all day about the personal belongs the refugees had, let's just say there was loads of cash, drugs, gold bars and coins, you name it, they probably brought it with them. But then they knew they weren't going back.

Great memories, thanks for stirring them up!

 

[Saigon1965]

Hi Dan! Hope you've been well -

Here's the holster you gave me! It is treasured!

I had a holster just like the one for S&W, made for 1911. In Anke. Locals made them up. I gave it to a forum member couple years back who was starting collection of Vietnam War items.

I have them sir -

A seller knows I collect all things Vietnam and had contacted me when this pair was consigned to him -

Perhaps I missed it. Who has these historic sidearms now? How were they procured? As an old, Viet Nam veteran I feel sad about how we treated our allies.

Thank you for the wonderful info -

BTW, The negative is shown in a reversed position. The notches are loaded into the film carrier either TOP RIGHT or BOTTOM LEFT. I've shot THOUSANDS of 4x5 sheet films and if shot in the position as shown you end up with an under exposed negative. If you have a color lab near you they should be able to make prints from the negative.

Class III

 

[Seven High]

I noticed that the serial number on the barrel of the HP is different than the serial number on the frame. I wonder what the story is about that.