Very True! While I've posted some of this years ago, I'm posting again, as some may have not seen it. I have more, but this is enough for now.
Here's the tag from my K1911. Issued to: ANDRE’ DUPERTUIS BORN IN 1908 FROM LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND, DRIVER, 36th AUTO DETACHMENT
I've been in touch with his grandson who now lives in Wyoming. His grandfather always asked people he knew to call him "Andy". Someday when I can no longer take care of the carbine, it will be sent to his grandson. The carbine is in VERY nice condition, possibly because Andre' was a driver, not a infantry soldier.
Here's the tag from the P49 (Army version of the SIG P210) pistol issued to: Jürg Keller who lives at Ruchacherstrasse, CH-8914, Aeugst, Switzerland. The 01/7600841 was his phone number. Enlisted as tank mechanic and issued a rifle and pistol in 1964. Turned rifle and pistol in and issued this pistol and another rifle when he went to officer school in 1966. Then he was the officer (2nd Lt at first) over a 25 enlisted M113 unit (part of 7th Company, 43rd Infantry Battalion). Left Army at age 50 as a 1st Lt. Had to turn his rifle back in, but kept his pistol at age 50.
I totally lucked out trying to find him. I found a lady with a business in the same town, same street, with the same last name. She speaks and writes German, French, and English. It turned out she was his daughter in law and lived next door to him and forwarded my message. He does German and English, so sometimes he'd write in German, "forcing" me to translate or send a photo, "making" me figure out the meaning and reporting back to him my translation or opinion. He'd then confirm or correct me.
We've been in touch for a few years now and have exchanged photos and gifts. Below is a photo of him as a 2nd Lt. See the officer's belt and buckle he's wearing...it was sent to me as a gift. He also sent me Swiss uniform arm patches to go with Swiss firearms to ID the soldier's specialties...I've mailed patches all over the earth to collectors to go with their Swiss firearms. I have photos of pages from his military record and weapons books showing he was issued the P49 by serial number, his pistol qualification scores, and when his pistol was inspected. Also have a photo of tanks in his first unit as a mechanic.
Driver's specialty arm patch that goes with the K1911
Maintenance officer collar patch worn by the officer...can be seen in the above photo of him.
Shoulder boards worn by the officer that designates his rank, company, and unit. Green with 43 = 43th Infantry Battalion. Purple = 7th company (supply, maintenance, transport). 2 gold stripes = 1st Lt.
His P49
