Collections
Pistols
Pistol Collection
Included in this cabinet are many captured weapons brought back to Canada after the First and Second World Wars by Canadian soldiers, including some captured by members of the Regiment. One of the latest additions to the collection was a pistol captured by a member of the 16th Bn. during the First World War.
Browning Hi Power No.1 Mk.1
(Canada WWII)
Made during WWII by Inglis Co. in Ontario originally for the Nationalist Chinese. Most were never delivered. Issued with a shoulder stock holster they were optimistically sighted to 500 metres. A more realistic range would have been 100 metres.
Browning Hi Power No.2 Mk.1
(Canada WWII)
Made during WWII by Inglis Co. in Ontario originally for the Nationalist Chinese. Most were never delivered. Issued with a shoulder stock holster they were optimistically sighted to 500 metres. A more realistic range would have been 100 metres.
Po8, Artillery Luger
(Germany WWI)
The “Artillery Luger” was issued with a shoulder stock holster. Issued to personnel that did not normally need a full-sized rifle but did need more range than a normal pistol. They were optimistically sighted to 800 metres. One interesting feature was that the rear sight, when adjusted to longer ranges, would move slightly to the right to compensate for the drift of the bullet caused by its spin.
Colt M1911 Pistol
(USA WWI)
The pistol illustrated was the personal sidearm of Lt. Col. (Later Maj. Gen.) D. M. Ormand during WWI. Officers were permitted to use personally owned pistols and the Colt M1911 was a popular choice.
Sauer Model 1913
(Germany WWI)
This pistol was captured by Cpl. P.H.R Young MM, 16th Bn, in actions after the capture of Vimy Ridge.
Nagant 1895 (Russia WWI)
Known as a “Gas Seal” revolver. Unlike most revolvers, when the trigger is pulled it causes the cylinder to move forward to butt up tight to the barrel. This prevents gas from escaping from a gap between the cylinder and barrel. Used by Russia from 1895 to the end of WWII.
People in Focus
Wing Hay Young
Wing Hay Young was born in Port Alberni, BC in 1906. He became a formidable and popular boxer who “was as good as a professional.” After enlisting with the Canadian Scottish, he won the Divisional boxing championship and then became the lightweight boxing champion of the Canadian Army. Wing Hay distinguished himself during the battle for Caen in 1944 when he came across a hide-out and single-handedly captured a dozen German prisoners.
Wing Hay Young died in an industrial accident in 1962 and is buried in Port Alberni’s Greenwood Cemetery.
