My grandfather served in the AEF in WW1 and while there lost all of his hair in a gas attack. He put his helmet on during the attack and it was full of gas so he got gassed pretty good. He had issues from it for most of his later life. I did not have the opportunity to hear more of what he did directly from him as I was too young to ask those questions before he died. I will say I know he spent a long time over there and went over before the main forces.
Every year as Memorial Day approaches I end up thinking of him and so a while back I picked up an original 1918 Black Army which I was told was like what he carried over there. Recently I picked up a Broomhandle Mauser which is a Red 9 probably made from the serial number around 1916.
So today I was out paying tribute.
It is interesting to shoot them side by side. My 1918 is pretty used. I know it must have been used a lot since the barrel is pitted from corrosive ammo. The Mauser is a refininsh so it looks good but internally it sure looks like it was used a bit. I am surprised on the Mauser how many places it has serial numbers. I lost track but internally there are a bunch and externally there are a lot also. Both guns are pretty much all original except for springs.
As a shooter, the Mauser is better at long range. It was easy to hit steel at longer ranges with it. I think the sights are better and the ergos are ok so with the long barrel you can hit at distance pretty easily. Reloads go to the 1918 which were easy. My barrel is shot up so I could not compare accuracy but I expect the 1918 when new was quite good. I know even today I could hit a 12" steel easily at up to 25 yards with it.
Were I in my grandfather's shoes I would have picked the 1918. The boom and recoil of the 45 are noticeable when compared to the 9mm. The 9mm has you on shots (10 vs. 7) but it is slower to reload and lacks the authority when firing that the 1918 has. I view it that a pistol is not a long range weapon so the accuracy at longer ranges of the Mauser is overshadowed by the power of the 1918. Also the 1918 is less clumsy to handle and carry.
Both are cleaned up and probably packed away till next year. These guns are nearly 100 years old and I don't want to beat them up shooting them a lot.
So to you Gramps, I can only say thank you. You were a great man who had impacts of folks lives for decades and I am sure your time in WWI contributed to that mind set of helping others.
And to all of the other vets who served I say thank you. I hope your kinfolk get out and honor you and your memories like I did for mine.
I would especially like to recognize and thank the WWI vets and say thank you.
