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  • /Lot 3381

Lot 3381:Vickers Ltd 1906 Luger Pistol 9 mm

December 2nd, 2011|Rock Island, IL
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  • /Lot 3381

Lot 3381:Vickers Ltd 1906 Luger Pistol 9 mm

December 2nd, 2011|Rock Island, IL
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Estimated Price$2,500 - $5,000
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Documented WWII Bring Back Vickers Dutch Contract Model 1906 Luger Pistol with Original Holster Two Bayonets German Binoculars and Case

The items in this lot were brought back by Marine Corp PFC. Norman Munley whose enlistment into the Marine Corp was done by Presidential proclamation. Munley went to the Marine Corps. enlistment center in Flint, Michigan and attempted to enlist into the Marine corps as many of his friends had done. When his height was measured by Sgt. Ray Adams, Munley was told he was 1/2 inch taller than the Marine Corps height limitation, which was 6 foot-2 inches. Munley had lost a friend at Pearl Harbor and another at Manila and was determined to enlist in the Marine Corps. Munley wrote a letter to President Roosevelt. In the letter he wrote "Mr. President, I have been rejected from the Marine corps only because I am One-half inch too tall. My friends have done their part to help keep American freedom by giving their lives; all I ask is a chance to do my part against our Godless enemies. If there is any way you can help me, I am sure you will never regret it. Very truthfully yours, a loyal American, Norman Munley." Rules are rules, but the President apparently decided that patriotism is sometimes more important. An order from Marine Headquarters in Washington was sent to Lt. Charles Popp in Detroit which said "If this kid is all right otherwise and you can find a stock uniform for him…give him a gun and let's get him into this man's Marine Corps. And we'll forget about that half inch!" An order was sent to the Flint Marine corps office saying: "Waive the height requirement if this man is otherwise ok." after his enlistment on January 23, 1942, he was in action for 18 months before being wounded and sent back to the U.S. after some time in a New Zealand hospital. He served on Guadalcanal and while there had malaria 13 times. While on Guadalcanal he obtained the items in this lot and brought them back to the U.S. Included with this lot are copies of news paper articles about Munley's efforts to join the Marine corps, an article about his service on Gaudalcanal, his obituary and an article regarding the Presidents response to Munley's letter. There is a photo in one of the articles that shows Munley, his mother and younger brother showing the Luger, two bayonets and the binoculars in this lot. The article says that the Luger was taken from a Japanese woman in a fox hole who was getting ready to take it out of the holster and shoot him when she was killed. The binoculars were taken from a dead Japanese Officer. This lot includes 1) Vickers 1906 Dutch Luger. This pistol was produced by the firm on contract with the Dutch. Fixed sights, with the chamber blank and the front toggle link marked "VICKERS/LTD". The "crown/W" mark of Queen Wilhelmina is present on the left side of the extension, with London "crown/V". "crown/GP" and "NP" proofs on the barrel, and "crown/V" proofs on the breechblock and toggle links, "GELADEN and "RUST" markings on the extractor and safety area. A brass plaque marked "4 - inf. X/24" has been added to the left side of the frame. All matching full and partial serial numbers, grip safety, blue finish with straw colored small parts, nickel magazine with wooden base, (un-numbered), and fitted with checkered walnut grips. 2) Rare Dutch brown leather Luger flap holster with a single wide belt loop on the back, cleaning rod pouch on the front and stamped with a circled "Z" and "CW/N/11 36/A L" on the front of the flap. 3) U.S. Model 1905 bayonet shortened into a fighting knife, blade marked "S/ordnance bomb/1918" and serial numbered "1021738". 4) Japanese Koishikawa Arsenal Type 30 bayonet. 5) pair of German binoculars marked "EK" in an elongated six point star over "NO. 249/J.E.S. two Japanese characters" on the left side optic end and "7X 7.1". With green rubberized canvas case, with "N.W. MUNLEY" stamped three times on the inside of the lid, with canvas shoulder strap.

Condition1) The pistol is fine retaining 50% much faded blue finish with overall scattered minor pitting. Strong original straw colors remain on the small parts in protected areas. The grips are good showing some moderate to heavy wear on the left panel and some wear on the right panel, with some scattered overall pressure dents. The checkering panel is much finer on the left panel. The markings are clear and the action is fine. 2) The holster is very good with some moderate flex wear on the flap and a hole on the backside, and tight stitching. 3) The bayonet is fair as altered, the grip absent, some nicks in the blade and a dark patina with scattered moderate oxidation. 4) The Japanese bayonet is good with a mottled gray patina, with some minor pitting and oxidation. 5) The binoculars are good with all of the covering on the right absent and tape securing the left side, with a portion absent. The optics are clear. The case is good with some wear, the lid strap and stud on the body to secure the strap are absent. A very interesting documented assortment of WWII bring backs by a U.S. Marine who entered the Corps by Presidential proclamation.
Details
ManufacturerVickers Ltd
Model1906 Luger
TypePistol
Serial number
ClassCurio & Relic Handgun
Caliber / Gauge9 mm
Barrel4 inch round
Finishblue
Gripwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views1762
Catalog page252
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