Jump to content

ID'd D-Day Normandy US Navy Officer's 1911 Colt Pistol & Belt Rig


warpath
 Share

Recommended Posts

Identified D-Day Normandy US Navy Officer's 1911 Colt Pistol & Belt Rig from Lt. H. L. Oakes, Jr. USNR

 

The photo shows his son wearing his pistol and belt set when Lt. Oakes was home on leave following the Normandy invasion.

post-3653-0-69265100-1480345371_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great group, the Colt is awesome!!!!

 

That authorization letter is neat. If I am reading it correctly, it appears to state that he was also authorized an M1 Carbine?? Wonder why most of the serial numbers are XXX'd out??

 

Chris

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have heard many gun collectors state the government never let troops bring home "their" firearms from the war, any war...this letter seems to put a stop to such talk...common or not...it was still practiced and accepted....

 

great 1911 group....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When my dad was returning from the PTO, last stationed on "Okie", US Navy, his chief asked him if he was going to take his M1911 .45 home. My dad was not into firearms at all, hated shooting the M1903 rifle in boot camp, said it kicked like a mule, so the .45 never came home. Also mentioned he probably could have brought an M1 Carbine home, my favorite firearm of all time. He said many times over the years that if he had ever known he would have two boys that liked firearms he would have brought at least the .45 back.

 

Funny thing is he did bring home an Japanese Type 99 Arisaka rifle with bayonet? Told me there was a pile of the rifles and bayonets and any of the enlisted sailors could grab one of each if interested. Nice thing with this rifle is it still has the Mum fully intact. I have both items along with his Navy Kabar knife. He has been gone now since 2005 and I am happy to have these items. Never to be sold.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 7 months later...

Lt. Oakes issued Colt 1911 pistol carried through WWII from North Africa to Normandy to the South Pacific and it looks like it swam much of the way. A great US Navy officer's pistol with battle provenance.

post-3653-0-09343100-1505350335_thumb.jpg

post-3653-0-84094200-1505350466_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Could any of you knowledgable helmet folks tell me what the markings on the helmet mean, including the painted band?

I assume the two stripes indicate rank?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The stripes and star represent a Lt. Although the star is backwards on this helmet. The stripe represented some type of shore party....I think.

Ronnie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...