CZ-27 with some cool history

[jmace57]

I won an item in an auction the other day...and received today a CZ-27 in excellent condition, with the original holster and a spare mag. I paid about $400 after all commissions and shipping.

On the holster was written a serial number, a name R.E. DeVinney, and Co. H 504th Parachute Regiment - obviously a vet bringback from a well known outfit.

I googled the name and found this:

Blockingkampfgruppepeiper - Home | Facebook

and

World War II veteran recalls fighting in Battle of the Bulge| Latest News Videos | Fox News

I am trying to see if I can track the guy down. He was alive and on a trip to the Netherlands last October (2017) for a WW2 memorial.

A picture from the 82nd Airborne reunion last summer (at far left)

 

[jmace57]

Thanks to some help from a forum member, I was able to call Mr. DeVinney. He said that indeed that was his serial number, but he had no memory of the gun, but said "I'm 94 now, I don't remember things any more, so I'm not surprised".

My Dad was the same way, he could rattle off his serial number...and the serial number of the BAR he carried long after he couldn't remember a lot of other things.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

Some(many)people see a gun only as an evildoing instrument.They do not realize that these tools carry a lot of history,ofter tracable history(and they do not realize that they own their freedom to them).
Jmace,congrats for your search so as to confirm the validity of that piece of history and thanks for sharing.

 

[vonn]

Very,very, nice! Glad you could talk to Mr. DeVinney. Not many of those guys still going.

 

[jmace57]

Just a follow-up to this story. I was able to talk to Mr. DeVinney's son (also Bob). He was very interested in the story.

After some discussion, I offered the gun to him for what I paid for it. It took a while for him to realize I wasn't trying to scam him. I shipped it up last week to an FFL close to him, and I expect him to pick it up Monday. I am eager to hear if his father recognizes the gun after being able to see it.

 

[snuffy51]

Cool. Great story. Just figure how many times one gets a chance to do something like that. Congratulations.

 

[moosedog]

That was huge of you to offer it to the son. Congratulations on a great tribute story.

 

[4T5GUY]

That is a great story, and you are such a great guy.

Thank you for the update. I too have tried to reunite things that I have acquired, to either sons or grandsons of the original owners. Unfortunately I just got less than not much interest. It was fun doing the research, and at least I tried. I'm so glad to hear your story of the 27 worked out and was appreciated.

Jim

 

[shouldazagged]

You're a good man. I salute you.

 

[DCC]

Hi
Well done for tracking down Mr DeVinney - what a great story about a great little pistol.
Technical Question:- Does the CZ 27 have rotating barrel locking?
Maybe I'm confused?...
Rgds
DCC

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

To you, the pistol was a good deal with a great story. To his son it should be priceless. You are to be commended.

 

[JMV366]

AN HONORABLE THING TO DO !!!

 

[Krogen]

Great story! I love to hear tales like this. You did good.

 

[jmace57]

I thought I'd do a follow-up of this story. I have ended up making friends with Mr. Devinney, and his son Bob (Jr.) and we keep in touch by email.

Bob took a picture of his Dad in his 504th PIR Eisenhower jacket, holding the CZ-27 and sent it to me. I thought I'd show y'all.

 

[Texas Star]

I thought I'd do a follow-up of this story. I have ended up making friends with Mr. Devinney, and his son Bob (Jr.) and we keep in touch by email.

Bob took a picture of his Dad in his 514th PIR Eisenhower jacket, holding the CZ-27 and sent it to me. I thought I'd show y'all.

I think I see the Purple Heart ribbon on his uniform. Can you ask where he was wounded, by what? Was he in the early Normandy battles and at Bastogne?

Did he recognize the gun on seeing it? Recall where he got it?

 

[hardknocks]

Wow

You sir are the man.
Great story.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Amazing how many of these WWII vets still fit into their uniforms!!

Great story and you are to be commended for your efforts and follow through.

 

[jmace57]

I know he was at Bastogne. When I first talked with him, he didn't remember the gun. When I sent the gun to him, he said he immediately recognized the holster (which had his name, S/N, etc on it). He has no memory of how he acquired it. I know he suffered from frozen feet during the Bulge.

 

[Welder1]

What an awesome story to share. Very admirable that you reunited the pistol with its old owner. Please post any future correspondence

 

[jmace57]

Apparently Mr. DeVinney is going to the 82nd Airborne reunion in Houston this coming August, and I am going to plan to go over and meet him and his son.

(I can't believe they would subject a bunch of old guys to Houston in August - whew!!!)