Quote Originally Posted by Johnny Peppers View Post
The first owner was the U.S. military, and no commander had the authority to give away military property, especially weapons. Starting about 1943 a Brigadier General was presented a pistol upon attaining that rank, and when he retired he had the option to either purchase the pistol or it had to be turned back in.
You are correct but that don't mean it didn't happen. This is just a story but it's possible.
The time is 1952 and the place is Korea. From the gentlemans name and the way he writes I would guess possibly greek and since there were Greeks serving with the UN in Korea the story goes a small Greek outfit hooks up with an American unit just before or during a nasty fight. A Greek soldier saves the life of the company C.O. and his weapon is destroyed during the fight and the C.O. gives him the rifle so he could keep fighting.
It's a story that could have happened.