Favorite Firearm: Remembering a War Hero

by
posted on December 26, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ascani.jpg

Submitted by Elliott McDaniel, Illinois

When considering my favorite firearm, I immediately settle on the two service arms originally issued to my father-in-law, now deceased, Maj. Gen. Fred J. Ascani, who retired from the United States Air Force. General Ascani was a hero of World War II, a famous test pilot and the program director for the XB-70 Valkyrie, a long-range strategic bomber.

Ascani was a 1941 graduate of West Point and one of the first to join the then fledgling Air Force. He subsequently served in the military for 32 years. Knowing of my interest in firearms, and that I was a former Army officer myself, he asked me 10 years ago if I would like to have his service sidearms. Of course, my answer was yes.

undefinedIncluded was Ascani's Colt "Official Police" revolver in the then Lend-Lease caliber of .38/200, a cavalry holster and a Colt M1911A1 .45-cal. pistol. A bit of minor detective work indicated that the Colt revolver was manufactured in 1941 and the M1911A1 was produced in 1943. Disassembly of the latter showed all parts were indeed correct for 1943 Colt manufacture.

When asked about the circumstances surrounding issuance of the firearms, Gen. Ascani indicated that the revolver was given to him in 1941 as he left West Point. The cavalry flap holster was standard because of the horse-mounted training then conducted at the military academy. The M1911 came into his possession after it was mistakenly included among an inventory of "Lost" equipment after the costly raid against the Ploiesti, Rumania, oil fields in which the Air Force lost an inordinate amount of aircraft and men. As a Wing Commander, Ascani said the hardest part of his career was writing next-of-kin letters to the families of more than 80 lost airmen.

The Colt M1911A1 remains my most treasured firearm-for its intrinsic value and, most importantly, for the man and the missions behind its service.

Nearly every shooter has a favorite firearm. If you would like to share the experience of owning yours with other American Rifleman readers, or on americanrifleman.org, send a sharp color photograph of the gun, accompanied by its story in fewer than 400 words, with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Favorite Firearms, American Rifleman, National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400. Photos and submissions cannot be returned and may be edited for clarity and brevity.  

Latest

Robbins And Lawrence Armory Vermont
Robbins And Lawrence Armory Vermont

The Robbins & Lawrence Story: Pioneers Of Mass Production

The Robbins & Lawrence company of Windsor, Vt., was an early pioneer in the field of mass production, using machine tools and interchangeable parts to produce firearms for both the U.S. and British governments.

CMP Auctions Move To GunBroker.com

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has moved its popular auctions to GunBroker.com, an online firearm marketplace that launched in 1999, to further support the future of the shooting sports and firearm ownership.

I Have This Old Gun: The French Charleville Musket

One of the most important military arms ever made, the French Charleville musket saw use in the American Revolution and armed French troops throughout the Napoleonic Wars.

CVA Endura Series: The Modernized Muzzleloader Of 2025

CVA built on the success of its Paramount muzzleloader to create the Endura, a design that the company calls "the most advanced muzzleloader series CVA has ever built."

Review: FN 15 Guardian

FN America has sought to bring its legendary quality and reliability to an AR-15 that lists for just $999, and we believe that it has done this well with its 15 Guardian carbine.

Springfield Armory Hellcat Now Available In .380 ACP

Despite the extensive number of Hellcat models in its lineup, Springfield Armory has only offered the pistol in one chambering, 9 mm Luger, until now. The .380 ACP model offers similar capabilities with softer recoil.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.