1134

BRIGADIER GENERAL GEOFFERY CHEADDLE'S SMITH &

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 4,000.00 USD
BRIGADIER GENERAL GEOFFERY CHEADDLE'S SMITH &
WESSON MODEL 39 GENERAL OFFICER'S MODEL SEMI AUTO PISTOL. Cal. 9mm Luger. S# 105382. "It is the policy of the United States Air Force to issue a weapon to all personnel who become general rank". So begins the letter documenting the issue of this pistol to "Brigadier General Geoffrey Cheadle, 002-30-1359, by the 377th Supply, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, and is his personal weapon: / Mfg. : Smith & Wesson / 9M - Model - 39 / Serial Number: 105382". Geoffrey Cheaddle graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point June 1944 & was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. March 1945 was selected for B-29 training at Roswell, NM. Other postings during his career include: detachment Commander & Squadron officer in Korea Jan. 1952 -Jan. 1953, served at 1808 AACS wing in Tokyo, Japan, served as Assistant Chief of Staff US Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, July 1969-May 1971. Promoted to permanent grade of Brigadier General on Feb. 24, 1970 w/ date of rank July 30, 1969. His many decorations & awards include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star medal, Joint Service Commendation medal, Army Commendation medal w/ 2 oak leaf clusters, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon & National Order of Vietnam, 5th Class. He was a command pilot. The Model 39 was the first generation of the S& W DA pistols. Bbl. 4". Steel slide w/ serrated ramp front sight & square notch adj. rear sight. Black finished alloy frame. 2 Piece checkered walnut grips w/ silver S& W medallions. MAGS: 2 detachable 8 rd. w/ larger viewing windows as found on military style mags. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: United States Military Assistance Command letter dated 1 June, 1971 documenting this pistol as being issued to Brigadier General Cheaddle. Letter includes custom clearance stamp w/ added hand written note date 20 March, 2007 transferring ownership to Colonel Lords S Lodwick Retired. Also included are letters of correspondence between General Cheaddle & Colonel Lodwick. 2 Piece blue box w/ properly S#'d label. Box contains S& W cleaning rod & S& W black leather holster No. 111100. CONDITION: 97% metal finish showing light edge wear & sm. spots of finish loss. Grips show scattered handling marks. Bore is bright w/ strong rifling. (20-193/DS). CURIO. $2,500-4,000.