1936 Registered Magnum ordered by Joseph Lorch
- Thread starter KingCobb
- Start date
I have a 2" .38 M&P target (might be the only target Victory) made for Ed McGivern in early 1945. Indeed, the factory did take care of its customers during WW2.
Regards, Mike Priwer
Regards, Mike Priwer
A tip of the hat to Bill Cross, I now know the name of the owner. J.W. Childs of Atlanta, Ga, who I am in the process of researching. He was a 1921 graduate of Georgia Tech. He was a 33 year member of the military. At the time of his retirement in 1954, he was Chief of the Georgia Military District, Information Officer for 3rd Army HQ, Asst Prof Military Science & Tactics at Ft Benning Infantry school, Legion of Merit with 2 oak leaf clusters, served in both WW2 and Korea. In 1922, he began his military career by shipping out from the Presidio in S.F. to duty in the Phillipines. By 1926, he was a 2nd lieutenant.
In 1948 he was a Colonel and commanded the 27th Infantry regiment Wolfhounds prior to being promoted to Chief of Staff of the 25th Division in Yongchon, Korea at the start of the Korean War.
There is probably more info out there about him, I am probably just looking wrong. I am assuming he was stationed in the D.C. area if he was the original owner in 1935 as he was in 1942.
"First, the revolver was ordered by Joseph Lorch for a customer and returnedto S&W in November 1936 because the arm had developed a “creep”. There isno other information about this in the files. Second, the RM was returned toS&W in July 1942 by its owner, J. W. Childs, Atlanta, GA, who requested aKing Ramp Reflector Gold Post front sight and King white outline rear beinstalled. He also asked for a hump back hammer, but S&W's supply wasexhausted and they were not going to make any more due to war time production.The cost of the new sights was $8.25."
Unfortunately the only pic I could find of the Colonel was split in 2.
In 1948 he was a Colonel and commanded the 27th Infantry regiment Wolfhounds prior to being promoted to Chief of Staff of the 25th Division in Yongchon, Korea at the start of the Korean War.
There is probably more info out there about him, I am probably just looking wrong. I am assuming he was stationed in the D.C. area if he was the original owner in 1935 as he was in 1942.
"First, the revolver was ordered by Joseph Lorch for a customer and returnedto S&W in November 1936 because the arm had developed a “creep”. There isno other information about this in the files. Second, the RM was returned toS&W in July 1942 by its owner, J. W. Childs, Atlanta, GA, who requested aKing Ramp Reflector Gold Post front sight and King white outline rear beinstalled. He also asked for a hump back hammer, but S&W's supply wasexhausted and they were not going to make any more due to war time production.The cost of the new sights was $8.25."
Unfortunately the only pic I could find of the Colonel was split in 2.
Attachments
You might try the Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning. I'm not sure what research material they have but might be a place to start. Good luck, the research is at least half the fun!
"In 1922, he began his military career by shipping out from the Presidio in S.F. to duty in the Phillipines. By 1926, he was a 2nd lieutenant."
KingCobb,
Do you know if the good colonel was enlisted and then earned a commission? However, since he started in the service between the world wars, it wouldn't be uncommon for him to become a 2nd louie in 1922 and having to wait 4 years to get his silver bar.
KingCobb,
Do you know if the good colonel was enlisted and then earned a commission? However, since he started in the service between the world wars, it wouldn't be uncommon for him to become a 2nd louie in 1922 and having to wait 4 years to get his silver bar.
OLDSTER
Member
GOOD GRIEF !! Welcome from North Dakota. What a beauty
WOW, just isn't quite adequate!
Beautiful RM with an interesting history. Thanks for sharing.
"In 1922, he began his military career by shipping out from the Presidio in S.F. to duty in the Phillipines. By 1926, he was a 2nd lieutenant."
KingCobb,
Do you know if the good colonel was enlisted and then earned a commission? However, since he started in the service between the world wars, it wouldn't be uncommon for him to become a 2nd louie in 1922 and having to wait 4 years to get his silver bar.
No idea. I know he was in the signal corps in the phillipines. In 1928 when he was stationed in the District of Columbia he was a 1st Lt. However, while apparently serving on a Court Martial in the early 30s in Hawaii he was listed as a 2nd Lt again. Sometime between 1932 and 1948 when he took over the 25th infantry, he became a colonel. In the process he served as information officer for 3rd army in WW2 and was instructor at Ft Benning. In Korea he was Chief of Staff of the 27th Division and returned Stateside in 1954 as the Chief of the Military District of Georgia, from which he retired in late 54.
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The photograph shows his branch as Infantry and his unit as the 25th Infantry Division. The Infantry branch insignia with the 27 on top indicates he was serving in the 27th Infantry Regiment in the 25th Infantry Division.
Bill
Bill
The Walfords were sporting goods dealers in Washington, D.C. at 625 and 909 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. I am not familiar with the Walfords as Colt or S&W dealers. but they appear as the vendors of many Parker shotguns in Parker Gun Collectors Association letters of provenance.
What is happening on the rear face of the cylinder?
Welcome aboard and sharing such a beautiful gun and its history!
Thanks for not being afraid to take her out and stretch her legs; I am sure there're several members crying in their Corn Flakes.
Thanks for not being afraid to take her out and stretch her legs; I am sure there're several members crying in their Corn Flakes.
Green Frog
Member
Welcome to the S&W Forum, KingCobb. You sure know how to enter the room with panache! I'm a little skeptical of your "Colt person at heart" assertion, which strikes me kinda like the bishop who preaches chastity while maintaining a mistress with a child. 
You are officially a S&W guy now!
The only way I see out of your dilemma is to create a whole new category of collectible classification, "Holy Grail S&Ws with Colt connections." You will have a very small but dedicated group who will fight viciously over each treasure in the category that comes to light, and your entire membership will be able to meet in the cloak room of whatever other collectors' gathering you visit. Yes, I see lots of possibilities here, wish I could reach the rarified strata required to join you. Meanwhile, congratulations.
Regards with envy,
the Green Frog
PS A serious thought... all of this information coming to light about the history of the gun and its previous owners is golden. I hope you are keeping it all for future reference... It's priceless history!
You are officially a S&W guy now! The only way I see out of your dilemma is to create a whole new category of collectible classification, "Holy Grail S&Ws with Colt connections." You will have a very small but dedicated group who will fight viciously over each treasure in the category that comes to light, and your entire membership will be able to meet in the cloak room of whatever other collectors' gathering you visit. Yes, I see lots of possibilities here, wish I could reach the rarified strata required to join you. Meanwhile, congratulations.
Regards with envy,
the Green Frog
PS A serious thought... all of this information coming to light about the history of the gun and its previous owners is golden. I hope you are keeping it all for future reference... It's priceless history!
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