Moderators- please move this if it should have been in the lounge, but most of the Smiths fit this category and time era.
Love these Smiths....maybe as equal as the original people who may have had them on duty somewhere, sometime in their past glory days. Probably equally well loved may have been a cup of joe before taking off, mounting guard duty at Clark AFB, going to the station for the morning Chiefs meeting, having a quick cup in the squad room before mounting that motor unit or climbing in that patrol cruiser for another shift of watching crazies driving.
Anyway....I'm a history buff too, so some "narrative" to go along with a couple:
Left to Right:
S&W Navy Victory, Letters shipping to the US Navy Oakland on 12-17-1942. The USS Lexington (CV16) was commissioned 2-17-1943. In battle off Tarawa Nov 20, 1943. Toyko Rose labelled her the "Blue Ghost" because she was reported sunk by the Japanese at least 5 times, and kept showing up swinging.
Would be nice to think some Navy JG/USMC flyboy kept that S&W Navy (or one just like it) loaded and ready in a shoulder holster.
S&W M15 Combat Masterpiece (1969). I was Army so can't tell for sure but those of you who have been there can probably tell some sea stories about the "Coconut Grove" Airmens Open Mess at Clark Air Force base in the Phillipines. Rumor has it that it was called the Lower 4 Club originally to denote only the lowest 4 enlisted ranks could gain access. During the Vietnam War I suspect that Air Force guards at bases other than RVN may have toted Model 15 as well as M16.
S&W Model 36 (1967) What real police chief anywhere would not have a Model 36 snubbie around somewhere close! Not in Virginia.
S&W Model 10 Nickle (1977). OK...did some personal research and discussion with some ex Staties in VA. The Virginia State Police had official issue Colt Officers Model, 38 Spl, 4" from approx. 1967 to mid 1907's. Then they had S&W Model 64, 4" stainless from mid 1970's to 1990, when the official issue became S&W 1026, 10mm stainless until 1993, when they switched to Sig Sauer in 9mm. Well....I just don't have a Model 64 in the stable..so you are getting a Nickle Model 10-5...same gun so you'll just have to like it a little shiny.
S&W Model 28-2 (1974). This gun is what all the VA Staties wished for! I don't know that for a fact....but I'd bet the farm if they coulda....they woulda.
Anyway enjoy the pics and if any memories are jogged, feel free to reminisce about the old times and how really good (or really bad) that cup of joe was at the time!
Love these Smiths....maybe as equal as the original people who may have had them on duty somewhere, sometime in their past glory days. Probably equally well loved may have been a cup of joe before taking off, mounting guard duty at Clark AFB, going to the station for the morning Chiefs meeting, having a quick cup in the squad room before mounting that motor unit or climbing in that patrol cruiser for another shift of watching crazies driving.
Anyway....I'm a history buff too, so some "narrative" to go along with a couple:
Left to Right:
S&W Navy Victory, Letters shipping to the US Navy Oakland on 12-17-1942. The USS Lexington (CV16) was commissioned 2-17-1943. In battle off Tarawa Nov 20, 1943. Toyko Rose labelled her the "Blue Ghost" because she was reported sunk by the Japanese at least 5 times, and kept showing up swinging.
Would be nice to think some Navy JG/USMC flyboy kept that S&W Navy (or one just like it) loaded and ready in a shoulder holster.
S&W M15 Combat Masterpiece (1969). I was Army so can't tell for sure but those of you who have been there can probably tell some sea stories about the "Coconut Grove" Airmens Open Mess at Clark Air Force base in the Phillipines. Rumor has it that it was called the Lower 4 Club originally to denote only the lowest 4 enlisted ranks could gain access. During the Vietnam War I suspect that Air Force guards at bases other than RVN may have toted Model 15 as well as M16.
S&W Model 36 (1967) What real police chief anywhere would not have a Model 36 snubbie around somewhere close! Not in Virginia.
S&W Model 10 Nickle (1977). OK...did some personal research and discussion with some ex Staties in VA. The Virginia State Police had official issue Colt Officers Model, 38 Spl, 4" from approx. 1967 to mid 1907's. Then they had S&W Model 64, 4" stainless from mid 1970's to 1990, when the official issue became S&W 1026, 10mm stainless until 1993, when they switched to Sig Sauer in 9mm. Well....I just don't have a Model 64 in the stable..so you are getting a Nickle Model 10-5...same gun so you'll just have to like it a little shiny.
S&W Model 28-2 (1974). This gun is what all the VA Staties wished for! I don't know that for a fact....but I'd bet the farm if they coulda....they woulda.
Anyway enjoy the pics and if any memories are jogged, feel free to reminisce about the old times and how really good (or really bad) that cup of joe was at the time!
