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WWII Item - Pre-War 45th Infantry...

Posted on 12/20/25 at 12:48 pm
Posted by WWII Collector
Member since Oct 2018
8607 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 12:48 pm
I just picked this up 5 minutes ago. Paid more than I wanted, but had to.

But if you know any Pre-WWII history, Especially of the 45th Infantry, you will totally understand this piece. But for those of you that don't.

in the 1920's The Oklahoma National Guard along with other units from Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona comprised the 45th Infantry Division based in Fort Sill Ok. They were one of the first National Guard Units Activated as a Division in WWII.

They were many Native Americans from those states and in the 45th Infantry and the Native American symbol the Swastika was chosen as the Units symbol from 1924-1939, as tribute to the large Native American population in the southwestern United States. . But Once Hitler started taking territory and the US feared that War with Germany was coming, the Swastika was replaced by the Thunderbird.

Well,, anyways.. I had to...

I am sure the wife, dog and kitties will understand why they won't be getting an Christmas this year.

Posted by LegendInMyMind
Member since Apr 2019
71780 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 12:52 pm to
That's a cool piece!
This post was edited on 12/20/25 at 12:53 pm
Posted by Kcrad
Diamondhead
Member since Nov 2010
65331 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 12:56 pm to
Nice find. That looks like silver.
Posted by bad93ex
Walnut Cove
Member since Sep 2018
34470 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 1:00 pm to
quote:

WWII Collector



quote:

WWII Item - Pre-War 45th Infantry...



Name checks out
Posted by ChineseBandit58
Pearland, TX
Member since Aug 2005
48095 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 1:03 pm to
Award for "Excellence In Sanitation" - ???

Posted by toratiger
susukino
Member since Aug 2008
3377 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 1:09 pm to
Great find!

Thanks for the info on the swastika, I was curious about it.
Posted by tigersownall
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2011
16675 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 1:23 pm to
You seem to be a trove on knowledge. My dad has a lot of stuff that my grandpa brought back.

Nazi gas masks still in the can.
An Irwin Rommel field manual still in the plastic
Nazi foot locker etc

One piece I am fascinated over is his Luger. It’s dated 1911 on the barrel and is in an original leather holster with an additional magazine. This gun is cleaner than shite. Not that I would ever sell it but would love to know what some of this stuff is worth.
Posted by Juan Betanzos
New Orleans
Member since Nov 2005
3740 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 1:23 pm to
Many people do not know/realize that that symbol has been a part of several cultures since 10,000 BC and earlier.
Posted by PsychTiger
Member since Jul 2004
107161 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 1:32 pm to
Including Mizzou bathroom culture.
Posted by RollTide1987
Augusta, GA
Member since Nov 2009
69805 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 1:39 pm to
Somewhat off-topic but my paternal grandfather served in the 45th Infantry Division in Korea. He fought at Hill 266 in 1952.
Posted by TechDawg2007
Bawville
Member since Nov 2007
32480 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 1:54 pm to
How much that set you back, baw?
Posted by WWII Collector
Member since Oct 2018
8607 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 2:01 pm to
quote:

You seem to be a trove on knowledge. My dad has a lot of stuff that my grandpa brought back.

Nazi gas masks still in the can.
An Irwin Rommel field manual still in the plastic
Nazi foot locker etc

One piece I am fascinated over is his Luger. It’s dated 1911 on the barrel and is in an original leather holster with an additional magazine. This gun is cleaner than shite. Not that I would ever sell it but would love to know what some of this stuff is worth.


Love to help, but sometimes I am not good with pricing. As I only collect and don't resell. But with that said.

Gas mask and Canister $150-$250
Rommel Infantry Manual??? You mean his book "Infantry Attacks? In German? Need PIcs.
Nazi Foot locker? Was it used to ship these items back home? Need pics. Does it have mail markings or painted address'?

Lugers are hard to price due to many reasons. Condition, Year, Maker, Markings etc.

But a run of the mill, beat up but in firing order Luger would be about $1,500 Minumum these days... And depending on many factors could go up to about $5,000 on an average.

Original Luger Holsters are going about $450 alone with magazines about $150.

But if it comes with a government form stating that the soldier was taking it home... BAM - value goes way up.... as in this example.




I would like to talk more, but have to go. But I have some thoughts on Gun distribution, usage etc in WWII... As an Example.. The Mauser HSC was issued to Police and Navy crews, especially submariners. While the CZ 27 was issued to Luftwaffe crews.. Both due to being smaller, less weight.. even less weight as the bukllet is smaller.

They stopped making the Luger P08 in 1942 and went with the P38 and issued them top the Army etc.

High ranking officers were most likely to have money to purchase their own firearm as long as it meet specs.. by that I mean ammunition was readily availble for it. Most of them chose the Walther PPK. Hitler, Hiimler, Goering and others wore the Walther PPK.

I have a theory that the majority of front line troops had the P38, while most of the officers carried a Luger.. and older luger most likey were carried by older officers further behind the lines...

But yet, here is a photo of SS troops in Russia aremd with a luger so..




as for me I got a steal on mine.







Posted by WWII Collector
Member since Oct 2018
8607 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 2:03 pm to
quote:

How much that set you back, baw?


about 10 lap dances... Fairly costly but like I said...I had to.
This post was edited on 12/20/25 at 2:04 pm
Posted by WWII Collector
Member since Oct 2018
8607 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 2:51 pm to
quote:

Nice find. That looks like silver.


It may be.. Seems to be from a Wallace company... Will research more.
Posted by jbgleason
Bailed out of BTR to God's Country
Member since Mar 2012
19849 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:44 pm to
quote:

Award for "Excellence In Sanitation" - ???


Most people don’t realize this but disease and infection killed WAY MORE troops in war than the enemy. Back in the day, before modern understanding of the issue, it was common for troops to be crapping and pissing next to where the food was being made. They only recently got this under control. Hence the award for Excellence in Sanitation. May sound dumb but was huge important.
Posted by UKWildcats
Lexington, KY
Member since Mar 2015
18804 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 4:48 pm to
Very cool and interesting piece my friend Thanks for sharing it with us
Posted by tigersownall
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2011
16675 posts
Posted on 12/20/25 at 10:20 pm to
He’s got a bunch of stuff. I’ll get some pics at Christmas’s.
Posted by WWII Collector
Member since Oct 2018
8607 posts
Posted on 12/21/25 at 12:53 am to
Awesome... We'll learn some history...
Posted by WWII Collector
Member since Oct 2018
8607 posts
Posted on 12/21/25 at 1:09 am to
quote:

Most people don’t realize this but disease and infection killed WAY MORE troops in war than the enemy. Back in the day, before modern understanding of the issue, it was common for troops to be crapping and pissing next to where the food was being made. They only recently got this under control. Hence the award for Excellence in Sanitation. May sound dumb but was huge important.


Correct...

Thinking further...
1 division.. 10,000 men.
1 Engineer Btn 2,000
1 Co. 200

Those 200 men may have done the whole task for 10,000... Organization they call it. One Company for all your plumbing needs...


This post was edited on 12/21/25 at 1:13 am
Posted by Bama and Beer
Baldwin Co, AL
Member since Oct 2010
84762 posts
Posted on 12/21/25 at 4:08 am to
Love the new piece

That's also a damn fine looking Luger
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