Help for uncle in law.

[herrwalther]

My wife's uncle is a Vietnam veteran with terminal cancer from Agent Orange exposure. Long story short is he fired a handgun in Vietnam that he really enjoyed but is having a hard time remembering the brand. He would like to find one to make it part of his estate when he passes. This is what he remembers, as vague as it is. So any help is appreciated.

1) It was made or available around 1972, that was when he borrowed it from someone to test fire.
2) It was made by a Jewish company or production gunsmith. My guess is it could have been made before the IWI formed in Israel.
3) "Looked similar to a 1911." A semi-auto, not a revolver. He also remembers it had a higher capacity that other pistols of the time period so I am guessing something smaller than a .45ACP.

Pictures with make and model will be great. I plan to show him any responses and see what jogs his memory.

 

[Jim Watson]

Israel has used a bunch of Browning High Powers and some turn up surplus every once in a while. Here is one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=472700678

Also some Stars:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=464599463

 

[rcmodel]

Most common.

1911

Browning Hi-Power
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browning_Hi-Power

French MAB
http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/MABR9/mabr9.html

S&W Model 39 or Model 59.
http://www.warboats.org/mst2bremmer/stoner_ord_notes/stonerhtml/S&W_Model_39.htm

I can't think of a single thing made in Israel at that time.

rc

 

[chiggerbyt]

"Star" although not Jewish was he perhaps thinking of the Star of David and memory puts the Star with Jewish?

 

[Ron James]

High Powers were common in Viet Nam, it fits the criteria on all but the Jewish maker and that part is probably a brain fart.

 

[herrwalther]

I am not sure what makes him think the firearm was Jewish, either the name on the side or a symbol. Or maybe something the owner said.

BHP fits the most criteria and makes the most sense.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Israili Hi-power

I believe the Israilis adopted a license-built Hi Power just after WW2 called the "Kareen" or somesuch- had a prominent Judaic star in the center of the grip- could have been one of those.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Well the Israelis had good sense to copy a very well proven design.

Yes it was common in Vietnam and about 56 other countries. That speaks well of the weapon.

Google 'Kareen Israeli Hi-power' and click images and you will see lots of them.

Deaf

 

[seasmoke]

AIM Surplus had the Kareen is stock fairly recently.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.a...=Israeli+Kareen+9mm+MKIII+Pistol&groupid=2725

 

[Ron James]

Old post, but I believe the Kareen never made it to rice paddies, but there were Browning HP's up the GeeGee.

 

[.375]

How did your search go, any luck?

 

[herrwalther]

No luck in the search. I printed out a few pictures of Kareen hi-powers for him to look at. At this stage in his illness his memory borders on amnesia. When I asked him what firearm he asked me to look up that he remembered from Vietnam, he couldn't remember ever being there or in the military at all.

 

[rcmodel]

Well, he probably doesn't need a pistol then.

rc

 

[herrwalther]

Well, he probably doesn't need a pistol then.

Probably. We talked him into starting a new treatment regimen. Something he was pretty adamantly against for awhile. If his memory improves with the treatment it will be something I will try asking again.