Do Vet Bring Backs Exist?

stencollector

stencollector

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
228   0   0
Location
shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
I've always heard third hand stories of vets getting to keep guns at the end of the war. And not just war trophies, but the issued weapons as well.
I bought a M1A1 carbine last year that the seller stated was a vet bring back from Italy. The rifle shows no signs of field or depot modification, had the origional sling,and even has the high wood. The only thing that was done to it was a short extension was added to the end of the barrel to try and de-restrict it.

I talked to a vet in Saskatchewan who had a German Luger he picked up while on POW guard duty. He was looking through the pile of handguns as they were being turned in, and a German Officer, who was turning his in, told him to leave the junk and take his privately purchased example. He said that they were warned on the ship home that guns would be confiscated on docking, which resulted in a lot of guns going over the side into the halifax harbor. But once on shore, the RCMP merely registered any handguns they declared.

Once in a while you hear old wives tales of guys keeping Cdn issued rifles (anything from Stens to Enfields to Brens) but I think these stories have to be taken with a grain of salt. What stories do you guys have, and does anyone have any regarding the keeping of issued weapons?
 
"...old wives tales..." That's exactly what they are too. King was a Liberal and his bunch didn't trust the Public then either.
A guy I worked with in the gun shop long ago told me the story his da had told him. His da had a duffle bag full of stuff that got left on the wharf. I'm sure there were just as many guys who found a way of getting their trophies in, but certainly not their issue kit.
These stories are just that. Usually from guys who are buying the story and not the firearm.
 
My Dad brought home a few things, some medals and such, but also P08 with holster. I have two other P08s that were definite vet bringbacks as well, one was from a well-known author on military affairs, and the CFC told me it had been registered since 1946.
I have a beautiful DOU44 k98, all matching, except for the duffle cut stock. I have no proof that it as a bringback, but I like to think so.
 
Do Vet Bring Backs Exist?

Without a doubt they really do exist.

I wonder if the Panther Tank at Borden is considered a vet bring back?

Or U505 at the Museum in Chicago?

According to my neighbor, Lugers in Canada were selling for about $5.00 right after WW2 from the soldiers who brought them home. Guns were just one of many things brought back.

I guess the myth has been shattered and the truth is now known!
 
Last edited:
Definitely, they do. Not sure if Canadians were issued capture papers with captured weapons like our US counterparts but once and awhile you will see them up on Gunbroker and the like with the paperwork. I think most of these bringbacks are in private collections and most don't move (sell) very often. It would make sense that there would be a different attitude towards troops keeping their issued weapons as they were property of the government and captured weapon booty that belonged to the enemy.
 
My Grandfather was in the Canadian Medical Corp in WW2 and he brought back quite abit of guns.Including 13 different handguns(semi and revolvers) and a M1 carbine.He used to show them to us when we were kids and tells us how he got each one.After he passed away they sat in his basement for about 10 years them my idiot uncle took them all plus a half dozen other rifles and pawned them all for $800.
 
sunray said:
"...old wives tales..." That's exactly what they are too. King was a Liberal and his bunch didn't trust the Public then either.
A guy I worked with in the gun shop long ago told me the story his da had told him. His da had a duffle bag full of stuff that got left on the wharf. I'm sure there were just as many guys who found a way of getting their trophies in, but certainly not their issue kit.
These stories are just that. Usually from guys who are buying the story and not the firearm.
Click to expand...

Sorry, this did happen as well. My wifes' grandfather was wounded in Normandy, got sent to a hospital in Wales, then shipped home. When he opened his trunk, the boys that packed his his stuff left two mills bombs, ammunition and his loaded webley in his webbing:eek: He was a Can-loan officer serving with a british infantry regiment.
 
I've seen an as new 1911 brought back by an (eventual) Col attached to 1 SSF. He kept it loaded 24/7 & told his son th never register it. When I saw it it was being NPRed into the registery.

My great uncle told me that he dumped his kit bag(s) the night before Halifax & was Pi**ed when the promised search didn't happen.

An R(C)AF fighter pilot I knew had 2 kit bags FULL. Divided the stuff he really wanted & gave one of his buddies the other bag, hoping one would get through. He was pissed cause his buddy disappeared with the stuff...

Regards
D
 
I don't have any WW2 stuff but some terrorist uniform the old man got of a dead/captured Swapo terr, in the SWA/Angola bush war and some dagger the local natives made and carried. Even possesing one of those uniforms in those days could land you in a pile of ####,
 
Not exactly a bring back, buta fellow I deal with at work's uncle was a Canadian officer in WW1. After he died his widow took his service revolver in to the RCMP for disposal. Luckily, she got the right guy at the desk and he purchased it from her rather than see it destroyed.
 
Man I hate thoes "old widow" stories. I gotta find a widow forum or something and get the mods to make a sticky: "Info on disposing of your late husband's firearms (mail to Ljungman. Service/shipping free of charge"
 
In my lockup, courtesy of one of my uncle's, a pre war Model B Mauser in 8 X 57 bringback. His P38 and officers cap and dagger were stolen out of his home in the mid '60's but that P38 was the first handgun I ever shot.
 
The most awsome one was on the Antique Road show. A little old lady brought in a COMPANY MARKED COLT WALKER that belonged to an ancestor. She had the family history, including photographs (daguerreotypes) and it had never left the family.

The kicker was the IDIOT who was doing the appraising. "Madam, you have a Colt Walker revolver, valued at 2000 pounds, but I would have the grips changed as they are a bit tatty" This clown would have been better suited valuing chanber pots!!!!!

If that little old lady had been on this side of the pond, collectors would have been beating down her door waving money!!!!!
 
My dad's uncle brought back a few things from WWII (Sicily). He passed away when I was very young and the stuff was split up amongst family members and most of it sold or pawned. My dad has the only remaining items, but no guns. Just a K-98 type bayo in a leather scabbard, a red Nazi swastika armband (w/ bloodstains), and a Nazi belt with the big eagle rectangular buckle with "Got Mit Uns" on it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom