Where is my grandfather's .45 now?

Question

My grandfather passed away about 5 years ago. He was in WWII as a military officer (SP) and he had the standard issued .45.

After he returned from Japan, his brother's wife's family took it. My grandfather never knew about this up until a few years before he died. Is there anyway to find out the serial number of the weapon so I could try to find who has it now?

If not, is there any way to try to find it?

I have found the serial number of the .45, will this information help me in anyway? If so, how will it help -- is there anyway to see if someone has registered the serial number?

Answer 1

Actually, Officers from the WWII era were issued their weapons, They were recorded and placed in their military files.

You can find out what is in his military records by going to
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html

Start there. There was a huge fire in St. Louis in the 70's that burned alot of vet records. IF you are kin they will issue you his records.

His weapon was issued to him and him alone. actually this is one of the facts that is overlooked by many military historians.

It has probably been sold and even on E=bay.
Money makes good people turn evil ya know?

Try his records first. from there go to the military sites of his unit(s). If you keep digging and digging I think you can find it.

Answer 2

There is probably very little chance of you finding it unless your uncle's family knows where it is and tells you. The serial number will not be of any use at all. Per Gary's comments; the .45 "automatic" is a semi-auto and is NOT in any way restricted and does not need to be made into a single-shot, even if that were possible. It depends on which state your grandfather lived in whether the gun was required to be registered, very few states do that. And he probably would not have done so anyway because his experience in WWII would have taught him that firearm registration is the first step toward disarming the populace.

Answer 3

Very little chance unless brother's wife cooperates.They probably saw that it was valuble and sold it.Normally all weapons that are military issue must be turned into the Quartermaster at the end of enlistment.As a WW2 relic,it's almost priceless.They might have worried about your grandfather shooting it off,or he might have given it to them.That's why wills are important.My Grandmother started dividing up her things as her health got worse,she wanted everyone to have something to remember her by.She made a list,just in case she was unable to finish.He would have to have a gun permit for the .45 and Automatics are very restrictive.You have to make the gun single shot.The serial number would be on the permit.

Answer 4

If he brought his pistol back from the war that means he would have stolen it from the military so looking for it wouldn't do much for his reputation would it. Standard Issue doesn't mean keep for life, it means keep until we're done with you.

Answer 5

It's gone.