November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2021
This historically relevant pistol was captured in 1944 by LTC Theodore Mataxis of the 2nd Battalion, 276th Infantry Regiment of the 70th Infantry Division (Trailblazers), from the 6th SS Nord Division during Operation Nordwind in 1944. He took the pistol back to the States and when he redeployed to Viet Nam in 1964, he used this pistol as a personal sidearm, when he was the Senior II Corps advisor to ARVIN. A copy of the bringback papers from Viet Nam are included and identify this pistol by serial number. During this time was when the traditional checkered were replaced with the current teak grips. Top of slide is marked "Captured from 6 SS Mtn Division / Operation Nordwind France" near front sight, marked "Lt. Col. THEO C. MATAXIS / CO, 2d Bn 276th Inf" in front of rear sight. Classic configuration of the Browning Hi-Power 9mm pistol with fixed blade front sight, U notch drift adjustable rear sight. Ring hammer, left side only controls, thumbprint slide. Matching serial numbers on right side of slide, frame, and barrel. Waa140 waffenamts and straight winged eagles visible on slide and frame. Bottom of frame behind magazine is marked "P8", "V" and another proof that is washed out and difficult to read. Trigger guard with proofs that are slightly washed out with left side illegible, right looks appear to be a "T". Included is the original Hi-Power checkered grips and a Braver Bros holster marked "Col. T. C. Mataxis / Senior Advisor II (indistinguishable word) / Pleiku". CONDITION: Very good. Metal has been lightly polished and rehabilitated with some softening to legends and polishing marks visible as a result. Hammer is polished. Mechanically excellent, bore is excellent with crisp rifling and some minor frosting in legends. Paperwork comprises of consignor statements regarding provenance, copy of Viet Nam bringback paperwork, and a cutout of a magazine article written about the influx of wonder nines. EMW
Accessories
Holster, wood grips
Paperwork
Consignor history of gun, Vietnam export paperwork