32 mission 1911

Augsburger · 03-06-2006, 10:50 PM

Some may find this interesting. This belongs to my Dad which was given to him by his friend Col. (ret) Ralph Searle. He was issued this pistol in 1943 when he was a lead bombardier flying B-24's and B-17's (32 missions). He said that at the beginning not all the B-17's had the Norden bomb sight and any navigator who flew a plane with the sight was to shoot out the sight if it was possible they were going down. Ralph never shot the gun (but I have). It is not a "rattler" and is very tight. Note the original shoulder holster with Ralph's serial nr. stamped on the back side as well as where he scratched his name into the leather. These are also the original magazine pouches and 4 mags that came with the gun. Ralph also flew 25 missions in Korea in B-29's. He recently passed and thought I would share part of his legacy with you.

03-06-2006, 10:50 PM	#1
Augsburger User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tejas Posts: 160 Thanks: 17 Thanked 14 Times in 5 Posts	32 mission 1911 Some may find this interesting. This belongs to my Dad which was given to him by his friend Col. (ret) Ralph Searle. He was issued this pistol in 1943 when he was a lead bombardier flying B-24's and B-17's (32 missions). He said that at the beginning not all the B-17's had the Norden bomb sight and any navigator who flew a plane with the sight was to shoot out the sight if it was possible they were going down. Ralph never shot the gun (but I have). It is not a "rattler" and is very tight. Note the original shoulder holster with Ralph's serial nr. stamped on the back side as well as where he scratched his name into the leather. These are also the original magazine pouches and 4 mags that came with the gun. Ralph also flew 25 missions in Korea in B-29's. He recently passed and thought I would share part of his legacy with you. __________________ Wilder Eber