One in particular was quick to introduce us to the Oklahoma way. He found out that I was a shooter, and former Firearms Instructor/Competitor, and told me that he had a nice range on the property across the road from me and I was welcome to use it anytime, but...
... his tractor had died a couple years before and he would have to get over there with his son and weed eat the range first because they had sadly let it fall into disrepair... and become overgrown as the training he used to do had fallen off and the local Sheriff's Department had finally built their own range.I told him that Tina and I would take OUR tractor over and bush hog the range for him if he showed me where it was and what he wanted done. A couple weeks later he stopped by, and we rode down in the Ranger and shortly afterwards, I made good on my promise. Nice layout, with a high berm, but I don't like to shoot on someone else's range if they aren't around, and with the ammo shortages, most folks aren't shooting much.
But, four or five years of growth was cleaned up. He stops by for a cup of coffee, to chat, and to share anecdotes now and then, and mentioned that his department was allowing them to move to Semi-autos of their choice, as long as they were 9mm/40 caliber. Of course, they had to buy their own guns/ammo and duty gear. I told him to stop by in a couple days, before buying duty gear, I might be able to help him out. Sure enough, I found the box I thought I knew I had stashed... and was able to set him up with a complete set of Safariland duty gear, including trouser belt, duty belt, keepers, holster, flashlight keeper, cuff case, and the works. All brand new. I had run the transition team for my department's swap years ago and various companies had sent me Test and Evaluation Gear to try for the various guns we were considering. When I tried to return it after the light use, or the unused gear, they told me to keep it. I issued what I could and used some as prizes in small matches I held at the range for training. I still had some left. I had a bit left when I retired.
I donate some to departments that need it.We were talking knives a few weeks ago, and he mentioned finding a WW1 knife more than 50 years ago that the American Military had carried, called the Plumb. I looked it up and it was an interesting thing, one I had never heard of. He stopped by a couple days ago to show me a collection of knives HE had made over the last fifty years. Skinning knives, Daily Carry, a beautiful Bowie from a File.... and the last knife from the bag was the Plumb, made in Philly in the early 1900s, 1917 - 1918. When it left, packing up his treasures, he left the Plumb on the table.
"It belongs in the collection of a Marine." He said, "And, it's a way to thank you for all you guys have done."
The Plumb Bolo Machete Fighting Knife:
Was actually well liked by the American Military, as both a Machete, and a fighting knife. The Plumb Company made nearly 500,000 during the war. They were issued with a wooden, leather covered scabbard.
The model markings:
Trademark:
I'll do some more reasearch, but I appreciate the donation. It will go in my display case with the civil war bayonet another friend gave me years ago.
