Contest to rename the idiot scratch

[Scott Gahimer]

I don't think referring to it as any kind of an inspection mark will ever fly because when it is normally discussed, the actual Ordnance final inspection mark is usually discussed, too. That would just be too confusing for many trying to learn by asking the questions.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[KeithNyst]

I think it's more of a "field proof mark".

[Johnny Peppers]

"Takedown scratch" is as simple and to the point as "holster wear". Both are the result of the pistol being used as it was intended.

[CINDERS]

done scratch one Carcano forever

[kregzubov]

When I was young, my father who fought in the Belgium Bulge, taught me marksmanship along with the caring and feeding of the 1911A1. One of the tasks I was assigned was to practice field stripping in the dark since, according to "Murphy's Law, if one would have a lockup, it would be in the dark.

To reassemble after stripping, he taught me to hold the slide back while inserting the slide stop pin through the frame, (learning in the process how to make sure the barrel link was captured). Next pressing the "catch" end against the finger relief cutout, sliding it up the frame, holding force against the frame until the catch end hit the slide (thus making more pronounced the scratch), then releasing the slide slowly until the catch slipped into the slide stop notch, and through the frame. Once assembled, I was instructed to rack the slide insuring the process was successful.

When I finally could field strip and reassemble in less than one minute, blindfolded, he credited me with being "proficient" in that phase of my training.

I am somewhat surprised that I have not heard this story from anyone else, even though I grew up thinking all the soldiers sat around in the barracks, before sack time, practicing (and enjoying it as much as I did.

My father is now 88 and was able, with much assistance from my brother, to make the Honor Flight to the WWII monument. Since they arrived during the government shutdown, he was able to add another "war story" to his repertoire.

[browningautorifle]

To reassemble after stripping, he taught me to hold the slide back while inserting the slide stop pin through the frame, (learning in the process how to make sure the barrel link was captured). Next pressing the "catch" end against the finger relief cutout, sliding it up the frame, holding force against the frame until the catch end hit the slide (thus making more pronounced the scratch), then releasing the slide slowly until the catch slipped into the slide stop notch, and through the frame. Once assembled, I was instructed to rack the slide insuring the process was successful.

Thanks for that detail. Invaluable in this ongoing "Thing". Welcome to the neighborhood...

[DaveN]

I was sorta kidding but it is the mark that one can unintentionally make when inspecting the pistol for the first time after being issued.

For what it's worth I like your "GI scratch" idea and will probably call it that at least for the GI guns.

Also I'm considering the purchase of a Collectable GI ( Colt or Rand) in the next month or two and told to contact you Scott. If it's ok should I email or call you?

I just joined your site so I'm sure once I figure out how to use it we will be in touch.

And as usual when using a small phone for responding to post I didn't see the other page. Great story and we all know soldiers aren't worried about a pistols collectible condition at the time of use. Try to imagine being thrust into a battle via time travel and as you are running and shooting you realize the pistol is a Singer or some other very soon to be rare collectible oh what to do.

[Scott Gahimer]

Dave:

You can contact me either way. I'd recommend a call first. Then, if you need me to provide an opinion for an item you are considering to purchase, you'll need to provide images and info (or a link) for an Online Opinion, or ship me the pistol for an actual in-hand inspection. But we can talk about all that if/when you call or e-mail. Thanks for signing up at the site. Hopefully, it will prove to be a valuable tool for you in authenticating pistols. Good luck.

[DaveN]

Thanks

[dsk]

It's a reassembly scratch. Look in the old training manuals and you'll see where they tell you to push the slide stop in, then scoot it up the frame until it slips underneath the plunger and snaps in. Uncle Sam obviously wasn't worried about young recruits keeping his pistols scratch-free as long as they could put them back together.