Navy Sidearm 1944

[JaxNovice]

Does anyone know what the offical Navy sidearm was for a Commander during WWII? After that has been answered, what would be a decent replica on today's market?

My father in-law's father (so my wifes grandfather) was killed during WWII and I thought it would kinda neat to present him with a replica (or real thing if I can find it) of what a naval officer would have trained with and been issued.

Anyone have any thoughts, ideas or suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[OFT]

Unless he was an aviator or involved with beach landings he likely would not have been issued a side arm. If he pulled duty as Officer of the Deck then he might have worn a side arm while on duty but it would be returned to stores when his watch was over. Either way there's no way to know what he may have carried. It could have been a 1911/a1 or a S&W M&P.

 

[BlindJustice]

USN '75-'78 - Both Destroyers I served on had 24 1911A1s as
part of the Small Arms Locker. I carried a 1911 on Petty Officer Of
The Watch (POOW). I always checked to see who made them
they were all Remington-Rand or Ithaca.

FYI - Colt, Rem.-Rand & Ithaca were the major manufactuerers
of 1911A1s during WWII. My father was issued a 1911A1 while serving
as aircrew on C-46 COmmando cargo planes flying vital war supplies
from India to China & Back In the survival kit, they were issued some
.45 ACP shotshells.

SOme Navy Aviators were issued the S&W Victory model .38 Special
Revovlers as part of their flying 'kit.'

Randall