Nice suprise find/The one-shot knockdown .45...

[cosine]

myth is still alive and well. I was talking with my grandpa about the firearms he learned to shoot with in the military, and he mentioned that the .45 automatics they used were good for a hit-the-guy-anywhere-one-shot-knockdown.  I just humored him.

On a more exciting note, I found a rifle wrapped up in a couple of black garbage bags in his basement when we were there on Christmas. It was a (I think 1939, that was stamped on it) German k98 with some documents (I believe documenting it as a captured German rifle). The rifle looked pretty good, none of the metal was pitted or corroded, the barrel had a swastika stamped on it, there were only a few dings on the stock. Maybe someday that rifle will be passed on to me. 

[Eleven Mike]

Krikey!  Isn't that a recipe for rust?  A k98 made before the war started draining resources sounds like a real find.   

[cosine]

Krikey!  Isn't that a recipe for rust?  A k98 made before the war started draining resources sounds like a real find.   

I added some more info to my first post, his basement is dry and it was up on a shelf away from any walls. It looked like a nice rifle, I think I'll have to see if I can get it some better care.

[Jamisjockey]

After talking to a vew WWII and Korea vets, I think there is some credence to the myth.  My belief is that a good hit with a .45 to the vitals is what started the myth. 

[Perd Hapley]

Some scholars suggest that it results from Vichy French who fainted at the sight of the .45's bore.