Some WWII Military Issue Sidearms

[Quiet 1]

Is the first ribbon with the S&W a Navy Cross? . . . . . . . .

No, it's a Navy Marine Corps Distinguished Service Cross.

 

[Jingles]

I love my HSc. SN dates it to 1940-41. I am amazed at how advanced these guns were/are. In additional to being a very functional design they are a beautiful gun. I was lucky to score the matching holster, supposedly brought back by a Army Major coming back from WWII. I had the writing inside the holster transcribed by a German friend. Apparently it was assigned to someone at a field hospital in Feller Germany. It must've spent its time in a desk drawer because there is nary a mark on it!

 

[Quiet 1]

Oh man, Jingles, your HSc is flat BEAUTIFUL. What a treasure. What is it's serial number? (X out the last two if you're unconfortable posting it.) PS Great photo. I am unable to capture the high polish blue on mine.

 

[Jingles]

Oh man, Jingles, your HSc is flat BEAUTIFUL. What is it's serial number?

It's 710694. I got lucky with the photo - the light was just right.

 

[Quiet 1]

Wow! Your gun is really early. Mine is 717184 so 6,490 guns "older". These very early HSc pistols are very collectible. Thanks for sharing yours.

Here's a little history of your pistol.

Design and development of the Mauser HSc began in 1934 at Mauser-Werke in Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany.  Mauser needed a replacement for their outdated single-action Model 1914/34 to compete against the highly successful Walther Model PP and PPK and the Sauer 38H for commercial, military and police pistol sales. The HSc has several interesting design features, many of which were to get around Walther's patents.

Design was completed and Mauser was prepared to begin production in 1938, but was held back by the Heereswaffenamt (Army Weapons Bureau) due to other wartime priorities.  Production finally began in late 1940 at serial number 700,000. That was an extension of the serial number range of the Mauser Model 1934 pistol, a much more difficult pistol to manufacture. The early pistols have well-made wooden grips, and are highly polished and richly blued finish.

 

[shouldazagged]

Splendid collection, handsomely displayed. I enjoyed it.

 

[erics]

No Browning hi power?

 

[vonn]

Thanks for the show and tell! Good job.

 

[DocB]

Those are super. Here are a few I've got crammed in one box. They are all full rigs with holsters and accessories. Two are vet bring-backs. The vintage ammo for the Jap Nambu was, by far. the most difficult item to find.

 

[mg357]

Quiet 1 : Wow! that is a fantastic collection of WWII Military handguns.

 

[BE Mike]

Hey BE Mike, It is actually a GOLD star. Here's where I got my info from:

Issued to all services Instituted: 1942 (Retroactive to 8 September 1939)

Criteria: Heroic actions or meritorious service while participating in aerial flight, but not of a degree that would justify an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross

Devices: Navy/Marine Corps: Bronze Letter "V" (for valor), Bronze Numeral, Bronze Star, Gold, Silver Star

Thank you for making me think about it. I try to learn something new everyday.

You have a great collection and the display is fantastic. I was Army and the subsequent awards of Air Medals differs, so I tried to find the regs for the Navy/ Marine Corps. What I found doesn't contradict you. Here is what I found:

7. Single Mission/Individual Awards. Personnel receiving Single Mission/Individual awards of the Air Medal wear a 3/16 inch bronze star on the Air Medal for first award, and 5/16 inch gold stars for second and
subsequent awards. For initial award only, center the bronze star. When second award is earned, replace the bronze star with a gold star. If wearing Bronze Letter "V" (Combat Distinguishing Device), center "V" on the ribbon bar and arrange stars symmetrically in relation to the "V"; first star to the wearer's right, second to left, etc. On the suspension ribbons of large and miniature medals, center the Bronze Letter "V" directly below the
Single Mission/Individual star/stars

 

[Texas Star]

No, it's a Navy Marine Corps Distinguished Service Cross.

What's the difference? I thought the Navy Cross was their version of the Air Force Cross or the Army's Distinguished Service Cross, all ranking just beneath the Medal of Honor.

 

[Quiet 1]

What's the difference? I thought the Navy Cross was their version of the Air Force Cross or the Army's Distinguished Service Cross, all ranking just beneath the Medal of Honor.

It ranks 3rd, below the Navy Cross. The correct order is:Medal of Honor; Navy Cross; Navy / Marine Corps Distinguished Service Medal. (However, before 1942 it ranked above the Navy Cross. Perhaps that's what you're thinking. Here's a blurb from Wikipedia:

Originally, senior in precedence to the Navy Cross, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal assumed its current place below the Navy Cross by congressional action on 7 August 1942.

Here's a link to the full write-up: Distinguished Service Medal (United States Navy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

 

[Gardner11]

That is a beautiful collection , very well done . As my admiration of the men and women of the greatest generation knows no limit I have been putting together a modest collection of WW II hand guns for my enjoyment and to pass to my son and grandsons. I look at it as preserving history . You sir are doing a great job of preservation . Thank you.

 

[MAG-NUM]

Fantastic military arms collection and presentation! You have searched long and hard to find all these noteworthy handguns and related materials. Outstanding! Bob

 

[sheepdawg]

Outstanding! Great presentation!!

I collect military Mausers, mostly Swedes. I can understand your pride in this fine collection.

 

[Quiet 1]

. . . . . . . . I have been putting together a modest collection of WW II hand guns for my enjoyment and to pass to my son and grandsons. I look at it as preserving history . . . . . .

Hey Gardner, I have 2 sons and 4 grandsons. The oldest grandson is a passionate student of both the US Civil War and WWII. He's only 14 but has an astounding knowledge of both conflicts. The generals, the battles, the weaponry, etc.

I'm leaving my gun collection to my 2 sons but added the Grandson to my will for the WWII handgun collection. I'm hoping he will become a good "custodian", enjoying and preserving them to pass along to his kids.

I admit to being more than a little anal on the rigorous research I do on each gun. I've prepared a minutely detailed "Description, Specification and History Sheet" detailing and explaining each and every external and internal marking and proof, the relevant specs, and current market value. I also include an in depth history of the model and it's manufacturer.

That way, even if he end's up selling them someday, he'll at least know what he's selling and have a sense of it's value.

Btw, I done the same with all my other guns but, with the exception of a few older and more valuable ones, not nearly so detailed.

(I've also done the same with my military medals collection, my chess set collection, my ... well, you get the idea. I did say I was more than a little anal.)

 

[Quiet 1]

. . . . . I collect military Mausers, mostly Swedes. I can understand your pride in this fine collection.

Hey dawg, how 'bout some photos. You saw that I had two Mauser's pictured. I also have a Model 1934 that was built in 1939 but it's a commercial model, not military so I didn't include it. (It's also, unfortunately, refinished. It's a cool looking little pistol and fun shooter though.)

Based on all the nice comments it seems like a lot of folks here enjoy lookin' at the old battle veterans. So, why not add yours to the thread.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Beautiful collection. Thank you for Posting. Very much enjoyed!

 

[Texas Star]

About the medals, I'm even more confused now. Doesn't the Navy have the Silver Star?