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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
Pistol info sought
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=4785
Hi guys, I'm in the process of setting up a display of various PT Boat memorabilia and in the market for a pistol and holster that would have been used in that time period. I know that both the Colt 45 and S & W revolver were both used, the revolver being the preferred weapon of Navy pilots. Which one, if either, was the most common found on a PT? Thanks in advance.
Posted By: Rob Garratano | Posted on: Jan 31, 2019 - 6:07pm
Total Posts: 6 | Joined: Jan 14, 2019 - 8:30am
I believe the Colt 1911 .45 ACP pistol was the sidearm that was part of the original crew personal weapons allocated to each boat upon commissioning.
Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
2016 Corvette Z51
Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Feb 1, 2019 - 9:39am
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm
I agree with bubbletop409.
From everything I've ever read, the 1911/1911A1 .45 semi-auto pistol was the sidearm most carried/worn by PT crewmen.
JFK was famously issued and carried a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver, most probably the (Navy) Victory Model.
Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Feb 1, 2019 - 2:31pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am
For what it worth- in 2009, while looking through the debris field located right off Lumbari Island, other divers with me located several live.45 rounds in among the odd assortment of items- like very nice bits of wood, monel and SS screws in other wood, electrical wire, panel face plates minus gauges, and galley utensil items.
I think several .50 cal rounds were located too. Ammunition used to be all over the Solomon aircraft wrecks and former base's when I first visited in 1980/1981, on a sail boat, however now many of those same places are "picked" very clean.
The ammo I was told is sought after by groups in Bougainville, and recently for the issues in the Solomon Islands mainly on Guadalcanal.
Most .50 cal rounds have the date of production stamped on the base.
In deeper water we found the dorade box/vent, the large ones one can see on the deck of PT boats.
I'd imagine there is a ton of other stuff to find- just need a good U/W metal detector, as the sand is always shifting.
Posted By: Shaneo2 | Posted on: Feb 1, 2019 - 3:35pm
Total Posts: 147 | Joined: Apr 17, 2008 - 10:19pm
Thanks for all the feedback and insight guys. I kinda had the feeling that the 45 cal. was the answer but was hoping that it would be the 38 special. The prices of the Navy 45's are quite high. Thanks again.
Posted By: Rob Garratano | Posted on: Feb 6, 2019 - 3:12pm
Total Posts: 6 | Joined: Jan 14, 2019 - 8:30am
There are companies that sell very realistic replicas of WWII weapons that are inert and not capable of live firing. I have seen carbines, Thompsons, Garands, and .45 autos among others. Real metal and wood construction, break down like a real weapon, very hard to distinguish the difference. Let me see if I can find a source for you.
Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
2016 Corvette Z51
Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Feb 6, 2019 - 6:25pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm
There are companies that sell very realistic replicas of WWII weapons that are inert and not capable of live firing. I have seen carbines, Thompsons, Garands, and .45 autos among others. Real metal and wood construction, break down like a real weapon, very hard to distinguish the difference. Let me see if I can find a source for you.
Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
2016 Corvette Z51
Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Feb 6, 2019 - 6:31pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm
Sorry for the dupe. Here you go, check out collectorsarmoury.com They show govt. model .45 autos among many many weapons available.
Larry
62 Bel-Air
260 Eagle EXP
79 Cole TR-2
2016 Corvette Z51
Posted By: bubbletop409 | Posted on: Feb 6, 2019 - 6:34pm
Total Posts: 164 | Joined: Apr 22, 2013 - 11:48pm
Thanks for the info and link Larry. I'll check them out.
Posted By: Rob Garratano | Posted on: Feb 7, 2019 - 6:44pm
Total Posts: 6 | Joined: Jan 14, 2019 - 8:30am
I am no expert on PT crewmen's sidearms but I have heard my father CJ tell the story of his sidearm that he carried during his 13 months aboard PT 242 in the Solomons. After joining the boat in early November 1943 the 242 berthed next to the 59 gunboat skippered by Lt. John Kennedy at the base on Vella La Vella. CJ struck up a friendship with one of the 59 crewmen who was about to come home on leave. He gave my Dad his 1911 .45 cal pistol which he then carried for the next 13 months on the 242. CJ has posted stories on this board of sitting on the bow of the boat on the runs home and shooting at flying fish with that .45 pistol. My understanding is that only officers were issued sidearms and enlisted men like my Dad found their own by one way or the other.
By the way, CJ will be celebrating his 94th birthday tomorrow (April 4) and he is doing well. Now residing in an assisted living center but still sharp as ever mentally but not on the computer much to participate in this forum like he did for years. One of my favorite experiences with him was to come out to Portland a few years ago and ride on the 658 down the Willamette River to Oswego. We got to sit in his port twin .50 cal gun turret, man the stern gun and steer the boat with a parade of accompanying vessels under the Portland river bridges. What a trip! Happy Birthday Dad!
Randy Willis
Posted By: Randy Willis | Posted on: Apr 3, 2019 - 6:42pm
Total Posts: 9 | Joined: Jul 16, 2007 - 12:53pm
Thank you Randy, I can tell by his occasional posts here and on Facebook that he is still sharp as a tack. Cool fish story, it sounds like great target practice. Was he ever able to hit one? That would be impressive! Please give him my best wishes.
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Apr 7, 2019 - 6:47am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
I know this is well after the posted date of original post however my father always talked about a 45 high standard. which he said was on his 248 boat. said he always wanted one, but never did. Scott C
Posted By: Scott C | Posted on: Nov 22, 2019 - 1:58pm
Total Posts: 108 | Joined: Nov 20, 2019 - 4:34pm
If you are looking for a WW2 era 1911 I would suggest Inland MFG. model 1911A1. MSRP is $749.00. Its correct in almost every way from the grips to the finish.
It doesn't mean a thing if you don't have that STING
Posted By: Travis B | Posted on: Nov 24, 2019 - 2:00pm
Total Posts: 127 | Joined: Nov 23, 2019 - 10:11am