You can hate me now...

Some unit war diaries from WW1 are scanned and are available on the Archives site as Jpegs. Many pages to sift through but definitely worthwhile. Get the service records and the war diary together and it should paint a very interesting picture.

My own relatives served with 27th (Winnipeg) Bn and two died from the Vimy battle. Seeing their unit's war diary and getting the service records sure filled in a lot of blanks !
 
"Bravo!" for that old fellow for not turning it in for scrap (which would have been the easiest thing to do).

"Bravo!" that you tried to help out and now it's been turned over to you, a fellow who knows it's historical worth and appreciates it.:)
A gem has been saved.
 
Snow Dog said:
Anyone know if it is possible to get a service record of a soilder that is not family? Any pointers you could give me on tracking down some info on the fellow in question (my friends uncle) would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Yup, you sure can....

Start with this thread On-line Service Record Searches (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=9 in the Milsurp Knowledge Libraries (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7.

There's a number of direct links within it that will save you hunting around DND's site and get you going quickly in the right direction.

BTW, beautiful piece... congratulations ... take good care of her ... :)

Regards,
Badger
 
You have a piece of history worth hanging on to. Hard to believe a museum wasn't interested. Your gain. Thanks for sharing. I hope you never have to sell it for any reason.
 
man that's nice score!

I can relate,i got an original russian makarov from a friend with no import markings for $50 ;)
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the links guys! As for the leather holster, you see quite a few reproductions but I'm pretty sure this one is original. It is mark on the back "R. Kuhlewein & Co. 1917 Erfurt". The Battle of Vimy Ridge was in the spring of 1917 so it is possible that the story is true. Anyone know if the troops returning home had to declare their trophies? My friends uncle was an officer so maybe they had some sort of official method that authorized them to bring souviners home. I would love to find some kind of paper trail on the gun but the Mauser records were torched in WWII.
 
This is a beautiful piece of history. I hope it stays with you for a very long time. Congratulations and thanks for showing!!
 
Snowdog, you say your friends uncle was an officer. Many commonwealth officers bought and carried their own pistols and ammunition in those days. Not sure of my facts, but it wasn't frowned upon and supposedly quite common with well heeled officers. Many were gifts as well from friends and family.
Mauser broomhandle pistols were favored by many for obvious reasons and much more comforting than a swagger stick and a whistle.

I had one that looked exactly like that one about 30 years ago and was talked out of it for $1500. It paid for the wireing in my house. It was bought and carried by a British officer dureing WW1 and later used in a crime spree and as a hunting arm for close range shooting on a trap line.

Beautiful pistol and rig by the way, thanks for showing it to us and for bringing back memories of one I let get away.

bearhunter
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom