Non-Regulation Sidearms Used In WWI & II

[bgrafsr]

My uncle had several Lugers that he "confiscated" while fighting, and was bringing them home with him. When they reached California, their was an announcement that all bags would be checked for weapons when disembarking from the ship. He, along many others, threw their ill gotten gains overboard. When they disembarked, not one bag was checked, and he was madder than all get out.

 

[Win712]

My Dad carried a 1934 Beretta,9mm short/.380 acp that he took from an Italian soldier in Tunisia in 1943 in a battle for which he received the Silver Star. Dad carried the Beretta in his shirt pocket on a lanyard from that day on through the end of the war in Germany, Dad was in the invasion of North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Heurtgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge & at Remagen Bridge 1st crossing. The little Beretta was also at his side while serving on the Cheboygan, Michigan Police Dept. for five years after WW II. The wear on this pistol was from my Dad's use not from the original carriers shortened term of duty. It is now one of my prized possesions that I keep in my Dad's honor.

 

[feralmerril]

I dont know how come they had different rules in world war two for different soliders on what they could bring back. My mothers brother never married and I was about all he had. We were very close. He had a permission paper I found after he died for the following. A luger, a radom, a P-38, and a browning .32. I remember him comeing home and dumping them on the floor. All were in top shape, had the holsters and tools. He was in gliders with the 82nd AB.

 

[Wyo]

I know of one gentleman that carried a 357 Registered Magnum, I believe with a 6 1/2" barrel, while he was in the Pacific. He never elaborated but told me he used it to good effect a couple of times. He had a webbed pistol belt "looped" so he could carry extra ammo, and it still hangs on the wall in his living room to this day. He had his father send it to him (his Dad had acquired it from a friend just before the war started) after he decided he wasn't comfortable with the 1911A1 he had been issued.

 

[Citiboy289]

Great thread !!!!! Liked reading all the stories , Thanks again to all the posters