Yes yes, long way off I know. But what's the word on Americans carrying say, a S&W Victory or M1917 instead of the .45? Plus we've all heard the stories of troops smuggling in revolvers from home. Just something I'd like to see.
you've heard stories, but do you have any numbers.... empirical data?
I've read some accounts of GIs taking, say, 12-gauges and their own revolvers to Vietnam, before the rules on these were tightened down in the late 1960s, but never saw much reference to private weaponry "smuggled" to WWII..not saying it didn't happen, but given that US infantry weapons were generally of a pretty high caliber and in huge supply, combined with the fact that the country was just coming out of a depression (and guns = $$$!)...
Well, according to US Infantry Weapons of WWII 256,640 Smith and Wesson Victory Model Revolvers were delivered in WWII, usually to Navy and Marine avaitors. Although Marine infatrymen commonly 'appropriated' them. 20,993 M1917 Revolvers were shipped to overseas front line units. (There's also some lovely pictures of both Marines and Soliders with them) Then there's a story about a Cpl. Fulgenzi, who plugged five Japs with a .32 Caliber Colt Revolver his dad gave him, on Guadalcanal
I take what n0e says way too seriously
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i have heard a story about a US army infantry squad, the commander of which smuggled a .44 S&W or something along those lines and it was passed down through the squad whenever the leader was killed. there is a photo of this pistol being used in combat somewhere but i cant find it.
That be a good back up weapon to have. Scare the crap outta the kruats too
JohnWalker;3403959Well, according to US Infantry Weapons of WWII 256,640 Smith and Wesson Victory Model Revolvers were delivered in WWII, usually to Navy and Marine avaitors. Although Marine infatrymen commonly 'appropriated' them. 20,993 M1917 Revolvers were shipped to overseas front line units. (There's also some lovely pictures of both Marines and Soliders with them) Then there's a story about a Cpl. Fulgenzi, who plugged five Japs with a .32 Caliber Colt Revolver his dad gave him, on Guadalcanal
I'm impressed, thats definitly the kind of numbers to qualify being included in FH. I'm all for it.
Damn, you must spread some reputation around before giving it to JohnWalker again. Good research, dude, and ^^^ with Crimson Major.
Should maybe differentiate between "smuggling weapons in from home" and the S&W victory, though (how about for a pilot kit?)
I didn't even know the M1917 existed, so thanks for a good start on some new knowledge:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1917_revolver
I just looked up some numbers. Tis nothin