https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...03/delna-1.jpg
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At least some of them wound up issued to the 60th Troop Carrier Group, which served in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. My FIL was a C-47 pilot with the 60th and was issued one. He told me they were to be issued .38 revolvers before deploying overseas, and the CO, Colonel Malone, wanted 1911s. The "story" goes he flew to Washington (Langly?) and tried to get 1911s and was refused. It came out that a shipment had just arrived and was sitting unloaded in a box car behind the building. Supposedly, Malone midnight requisitioned the pistols and flew them back to their base in Mass. Take that for what it is worth, but FIL swore that was the story circulating when they got issued 1911s. Malone was somewhat eccentric and was later relieved, so the story is not out of line with his personality. I could never determine if FIL was the only one with a Singer or was the whole unit issued Singers.
FIL was shot down over Sicily dropping Brit Paras on the Primsole Bridge. He had forgotten his Singer back in his quarters that night. It was still there when he got back about a week later. He got a Silver Star for that action. FIL passed away last year.
CX
The 3rd Singer from the left shown in this group was issued to C-47 pilot in the 60th. His name was Lt. William Calvin Clippinger. I have a letter written by him several years ago telling the whole story about how the pistols were requisitioned.
Does the story match, though your letter certainly corroborates the story here.
Just a little trick .... If you go cross eyed at one point you see eight singers now how many of use can say that!!
Pretty much. Scott shared some of the story with me. Clippinger does not mention the possible .38 issue and Malone wanting .45s. He does mention the "mysterious" overnight flight by Malone in his C-47 and returning with 1911s the next day. Several stories circulated around the group about exactly where the pistols came from. At least some of them were Singers.
CX
Cool. I really had no doubts and I'll bet back then stuff like this happened more then we know.
I know, as things happened like that when I was in during the late 70's though in my case not with firearms but with mission essential supplies and equipment.
Great picture !!
Wow! Based on the price of the last Singer at auction, there's almost three-quarters of a million dollars in pistols shown! Mike