S&W from Evaluators, VA

[brick26]

Hello,

I am new member and wanted to post picture of the S&W Highway Patrolman bought by USMC Lt. Col. Spanjer at Evaluators shop owned by former USMC General Van Orden.
The signature on receipt belongs to Flora Van Orden and here is more info on Ralph Spanjer:

https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/gosa/biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=1302&PERSON_TYPE=General

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum. That is a HECK of a first post. Congrats on owning that HP.

 

[brick26]

Thank you. I hope you guys on this Forum will appreciate it more than guys on other milsurp or C&R gun forums - that's why I posted it here...

 

[ditrina]

Great Post... Welcome to the forum..
Your Gonna Like It Here..

 

[rbmac52]

What an exquisite Model 28! Thank you for sharing it, and its provenance with us on the forum.

 

[Sealevel]

Welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing more about your interests in S&W revolvers.

 

[Big Lou]

brick26

Welcome to the forum.

Congrats on owning part of history.

That HP with history is priceless.

 

[TAROMAN]

WOW! Great find. Provenance is everything on these and Evaluators is about as good as it gets.

There's been quite a bit posted here on the Evaluators, and its worth searching up.

Oh, BTW, welcome to the forum!

 

[toddimusnimski]

Great post on one of the more popular models here. Welcome!

Todd

 

[turnerriver]

S&W from Evaluators,VA

Thanks for posting this. Outstanding revolver & I
really enjoyed seeing that Evaluators receipt.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Outstanding specimen and superb provenance to boot! Welcome to the forum.

Cheers;
Lefty

 

[DCWilson]

An excellent revolver made more interesting by the identity of its former owner. Congratulations on owning a fine firearm with a great history.

And welcome to the forum. I think you will like it here.

 

[29aholic]

Welcome to the Forum

Welcome to the Forum. That is a HECK of a first post. Congrats on owning that HP.

This is an understatement!!!
Great gun and Soldier

I am curious though. The list of medals mentions a Vietnam service medal, but the biography skips that time period. What gives??

 

[larryofcc]

Curtis, the Army has soldiers. The Marines have Marines. Big Larry USMCR (60-68).

 

[Bill Bates]

Welcome to the forum, Brick. That is a great Highway Patrolman.

Okay, group, does anyone know if Evaluator Limited's sales records still exist and are available?

 

[larryofcc]

Some of Evaluators records are in the hands of Mr. Peter Senich, the Sniper book author such as One Round War. He sent my friend copies of the original receipts for my Van Orden sniper rifle, sold by them at Camp Perry National Matches to the US Army in 1954. I used to have communications with Mr. Senich, but I quit collecting sniper rifles some time back and have lost contact. I know he lives in Florida and does share his vast knowledge. Big Larry

 

[29aholic]

Curtis, the Army has soldiers. The Marines have Marines. Big Larry USMCR (60-68).

I stand corrected

 

[JayCeeNC]

Okay, group, does anyone know if Evaluator Limited's sales records still exist and are available?

An old Forum member contacted some of the family a few years ago and determined that the family did not keep any of the old records. Presumably they were destroyed or otherwise disposed of.
Here's another Evaluator's Ltd. receipt for a pre-Model 15 Combat Masterpiece I picked up a couple years ago:

 

[larryofcc]

Curtis, you know how us Marines are. Thank you for your service to our country and Semper Fi from an old Marine. Big Larry USMCR (60-68)

 

[larryofcc]

Heres my Van Orden signed by the General. Big Larry