Radom bring back 45th Division officer

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  • Vietnam1965

    Active Member
    Sep 26, 2021
    362
    One of my favorites from the bring back collection. 1st Lieutenant John Russell served in the 157th infantry regiment of the 45th division. Twice wounded he served at Anzio and landed in Southern France during Operation Dragoon. His captured Radom pistol sports pictures of his wife and daughter. Four notches are noted on one side of the pistols grips.
     

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    Vietnam1965

    Active Member
    Sep 26, 2021
    362
    More documents
     

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    Doco Overboard

    Ultimate Member
    I was unfamiliar with the of placing sweetheart/family pictures under the plastic grips of pistols until I had the opportunity to learn about and see examples of pistols from the WWII era some time ago.
    Evidently it was a popular thing for some to do during that period.
    To my knowledge that's the first time I seen an example here on this site that I can remember.
    I'm also not sure to what extent a lot of people these days know about that sort of practice. I do not very often see very many examples made for others to see or a whole lot of discussion centered around the practice.
    Thanks for sharing your collection of unique items/arms.
     

    Bertfish

    Throw bread on me
    Mar 13, 2013
    17,684
    White Marsh, MD
    Wonder if I could get the wife to do some kind of pinup thing and I could buy an older 45 and make my own set

    She'd probably think I was insane
     

    Vietnam1965

    Active Member
    Sep 26, 2021
    362
    You can buy the grips on line. I made a modern version with my two favorite girls: My doggie & wife! My friends said they were uncomfortable shooting it at the range because they didn't want to put their hands on the wife! Lol!
     

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    Doco Overboard

    Ultimate Member
    Brownells used to sell them for 45's.
    I don't know if they're still available or not.
    If anyone has an old copy of the catalogue you could see them in there.
    I just threw a whole pile of them away when I went through my shop.
    Probably should have kept them because I wound up with enough room afterwards.
    I had enough junk laying around anyways that not many people are interested in these days it seems.
     

    mawkie

    C&R Whisperer
    Sep 28, 2007
    4,354
    Catonsville
    As a student of history I love finding the back story to firearms. They were more than inanimate objects to the original owner/user. This Radom helped deliver Mr Russell home safe and sound to his wife and daughter.
     

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