I have just re-read the post about the USMC "Victory Officer's Models". As I sit here on the banks of the beautiful New River, about a half mile away from Camp Lejeune, listening to the artillery (they always shoot when it is wet and we had an inch of rain today), and the Osprey Tilt-Rotors using my house for their approach to New River Air Station, USMC NRAS-H. it is no wonder that the pictures in my house are always at a skewed angle. I have decided that I would like to have one of these pieces of history for my collection of S&W handguns, much more so than some of the pieces that I have accumulated.

I know that they are rare and scarce and unmarked, BUT, they do fall into a set of serial numbers, as stated by Roy Jinks! According to Jinks, they shipped in Dec. of 1953 (see post by digi-shots on 02-24-13). If anyone is willing to part with one of these known examples, I would be very interested. We are trying to raise funds for the "Museum of the Marine", to be located here in Jacksonville. The base has given us the property, but as you know, "fund raising" in these economic times is tough.

I am also willing to put in my will that the revolver will be given to the Museum of the Marine at my death. Anyone willing to part with on on a for sale or trade basis?

medxam

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Doc Garrett
Dead Man's Doctor

"(they always shoot when it is wet and we had an inch of rain today)"

I went to a field problem at Fort McClellan, Alabama back when I was a Marine Corps option midshipman. We were supposed to be the aggressors against the Marine Reserve artillery unit from Birmingham.

We left Auburn in the rain and drove for several hours, including some very slick red clay roads. Once we got to McClellan and found the reserves, their commander told Major Philson, our Marine advisor, that the Army had cancelled the shoot "because of rain". Major Philson, a Viet Nam veteran and artillerist, had some choice words about the Army. I can say that he remarked that the Viet Cong never cancelled anything due to rain!

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

My memory is failing, to be sure but all I recall about New River was a never ending hatch of pre-historic, blood sucking, venomous insects about this time of year


I assume you're speaking of the "Officers Model" and not the MV-22 though it might make an interesting conversation piece. In years past there was a standing joke among us stationed at Camp Geiger; if you wanted a CH-46 on display in your back yard, just buy a house along the McCutcheon Field approach.

Gunner,

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Make mine an N Frame

The blood suckers are coming out! Fortunately I haven't had a helicopter in my back yard yet, but I live in a helicopter pilot "ghetto" and they buzz mamma every day. They are a great bunch of "kids". At one time we had seven Naval Academy graduates living on our street. It is a homeowners assn. so we see and get to know them at the pool, boat ramp and at church!

If you have not been back recently, "Swamp Lagoon" and the air station have changed dramatically. Come visit us!

Still looking for a "USMC Officers Model from 1953"!

medxam

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Doc Garrett
Dead Man's Doctor

Forgot to mention that the current policy of firing during or just after the rain is so that they will not set the woods on fire and damage Red-Cockaded Woodpecker habitat, even though fire in long leaf pine savannahs is their friend. Go figure!

medxam

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Doc Garrett
Dead Man's Doctor

I get back all the time to see my eldest son and the granddaughter, the wife and I bring our RV to Onslow Beach a couple times a year. They live way out Western in one of the new subdivisions.

When I lived there Midway still had 800 sqft enlisted housing built during WW2, Siagon Sam's had one store at the entrance to Camp Geiger and Court St. was not a place to take the wife and kids.

You might check with Sgt. Maj Sywanyk, if he's still alive. They have a place in town called Sywanyks, it's a bar but the family is plugged in to all kinds of sources for USMC memorabilia. I'll bet they can point you to an "Officers Model". I'm not positive about the spelling but I think that's close. The place is also called Scarlet and Gold.

Gunner

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Make mine an N Frame

Ahhh...the memories of home.

My oldest and his wife live way out Western as well. He is at New River, while I spent 5 1/2 years of my life on the opposite bank. We lived on N Topsail just across the inlet from Onslow the last year I was there. I sure miss it down there.

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Dave

Sgt. Maj. Sywanyk is still alive and kicking and still running his "club".

medxam

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Doc Garrett
Dead Man's Doctor

My son is at Wounded Warriors, for now. He's supposed to be medically retired later this summer. They just bought the house last year, because he wants to stay close to it I guess. Retirment will probably kill him (inside). He's 5th generation Marine. The boy was born to hunt Haj- he can still run a PFT in 21:30 on a damn prosthesis. I never ran a sub 24:00 PFT in 30 years.

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Make mine an N Frame

Best of luck to him. Mine is still a fresh PFC Airframe sheetmetal mechanic. He is only 2nd generation, but I can't control those before me. At 21:30 on a prothesis, he'd outrun me at my best 20 years ago. Semper Fi to you, and to him as well from an old Marine.

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Dave

He would have out done me by a couple of minutes 48 years ago. Semper Fi to both you and your son from an even older Marine and hope he has a long and succesful life.

baldeagle8888

I was born at Camp LeJeaune in 53. My dad was at Chosin. Not sure how long we lived in NC. I'd like to go see it some day. Just have been reading about the water though and it worries me some.

I am the proud nephew of a Marine he served on active duty between 1958-1962.