Three identified WWII vet bring back pistols -two German and one American.

drm3m

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I have enjoyed doing research on these three pieces .....it makes collecting somewhat different as it ties a particular piece to a vet and gives you something to work with relative to his service history.

This Colt M1911A1 rig was brought back by the fellow shown below.
An American that flew with RAF Ferry Command in Canada delivering aircraft before the U.S. entered the war.
The vet died on August 17th 1977.

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This Canadian Artillery Officer learned to fly airplanes and became an AOP pilot directing artillery fire from the air. The Luger rig was picked up in Dunkirk in 1945 following the German surrender.
The vet died on December 23rd 2010.

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A KM marked Model 1934 Mauser pistol was brought back by this fellow shaking hands.
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A Kreigsmarine marked holster that this pistol came in.
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About this vet;

On May 13, 1925, he was admitted to the bar of Nova Scotia and practiced law in Sydney. He enlisted at the outbreak of the Second World War; commanded B Company, Cape Breton Highlanders; served with the Judge Advocate General's branch at Canadian military headquarters in London; with the allied forces headquarters in Italy and the 21st Army group in Germany. He was honourably discharged with the rank of major. He returned to his law practice in Sydney and was appointed provincial magistrate on October 12, 1960. He was transferred from Sydney to Halifax in 1971; appointed chairman of the Law Reform Advisory Commission, and in 1975 chairman of the Advisory Committee on Legal Aid. He retired in 1976 and served until 1986 as supernumerary judge for the Province of Nova Scotia.

He died on June 19th 1995.

David
 
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I forgot this one....purchased back in 2002.

Mauser HSc pistol rig, purchased from the son of the vet that brought it back.
I know the son as we were work colleagues years ago.
He thought that his father picked it up in Belgium.
It is interesting as the pistol came in an Ersatz holster with no markings.
E/135 marked, high polish, hot salt blue finish.

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These Ersatz holsters were manufactured possibly because of leather shortages later in the war.
The closure strap is the only leather piece on the holster. It has some kind of plastic liner inside the holster.
These Ersatz holsters are collectable in their own right.

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This is the more conventional holster usually seen with these pistols.
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Letter dated February 8th 1946 from the Ministry of National Defence thanking him for his service to Canada.

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David
 
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I can only complement you so many times :p

Three amazing pistols!

...I don't know if I've ever seen a mintier Colt 1911A1. The Waldemar Broberg inspection mark is a nice touch as well!
 
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student of history,

I know that you are looking for a M1911A1, you might want to communicate with Steve1987 as he found a nice W.B. inspected M1911A1.

Steve has been very successful finding nice pieces.....perhaps he might have some leads for you?????
So often finding difficult to find pieces is a matter of referrals from other collectors.

David

Years ago our late friend Jose Reis (Zefarm) directed me to the owner of an M1 Garand which was not for sale in Ottawa.
Jose was a dealer but he gave me the contact to the owner and a sale took place.
This is how some stuff is found.

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Needless to say....I was very grateful to Jose for his help.
I had purchased a number of pieces from him before.
 
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