Anyone know Evaluators Limited Quantico ?

Dear Flora, in the late 60's early 70's I visited your mother frequently, purchased a number of Smith's over the years but enjoyed her stories the most. She loved police and military and once you set down to talk she wouldn't let you leave. As I recall there was a lady that lived with her at that time.
 
These are the kind of posts that make this Form so interesting. Besides, you learn so much history plus current info. I had no thought that the Model 19-4, my first S&W, would lead me to this Forum but I am glad that it did. There is always some member willing to help with your questions or problems.
 
Flora Van Orden- 1955- Garfield High School- Woodbridge, VA

This was an interesting thread with her input!

Yes it is. Here is my Highway Patrolman, shipped to Evaluators Limited in June 9, 1954.
 

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It certainly was. My father, now deceased 10 years was a marine under Commander Van Orden in Samoa. He was in Samoa from 1940 to 1943 having transferred to the CB's.
 
Happy to see this thread resurrected, again.

Here are my two bits (plus one) to contribute to the history.

1) Flora's five-screw Chiefs Special serial number 72

2) Photo of Flora and George Van Orden in front of their gun shop
(the gentleman on the left is Philip Roettinger, also a World War II
U.S. Marine who became a CIA ops officer after the war). To the
right is Flora's Berns-Martin holster.

3) Flora's four-screw Chiefs Special Airweight serial number 24295
(Rick Nahas photo)

4) Back stamp on Flora's holster

5) Photo of Flora and George with friend Nathan Hoffman at an
NRA convention (date unknown, but I would guess 1953). Flora
is holding her Airweight and wearing her Berns-Martin shoulder rig.

Great thanks to the three Smith & Wesson Collectors Association
members who sold these three pieces of history to me: Messers
Tom Horwedel, Rick Nahas, and John Witty.
 

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Does anyone remember where in Triangle the Evaluators LTD shop was located?
While stationed at Quantico, I lived in Triangle and frequented the nearby Mayco gun shop on Fuller Heights Road.
After learning of Evaluators, I've always wondered if this was the same place.
 
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Howdy, John, and welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

I, and perhaps others, would be interested in knowing when you
worked at the shop and if you knew the Van Ordens.

Thanks for sharing anything that comes to mind.
 
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