"...Sold to some pawn broker, whose address I shall mention later...."

[John Beard]

March 26, 1934

To: Capt. Cress
107 So. Morgan St.,
Chicago, Ill.

Dear Sir:

You may or may not remember my having told you of an army rifle which I thought might have been stolen from its rightful owners and which might have been sold to some pawn broker, whose address I shall mention later in this letter.

I came to your office during the latter part of last week in order to exchange my uniform for a larger one and as we were talking I told you of this rifle. I am from Harrison Tech. Now, do you remember me? If you don't it probably doesn't matter to any great extent.

As I didn't know the address of the pawn shop in which I saw the rifle when I first spoke to you I shall give you that information at this time. I saw the rifle at 128 So. Halsted St. The rifle was Cal.30-Bolt Action-No. 1091025.

Hoping that this information may be of some use to you, if the rifle is really stolen, I remain,

Yours respectively,

(Sgd) George J. Becwar (Sergt.)
Harrson Tech. High School
R.O.T.C. Unit.

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.

[John Beard]

Department of Military Science and Tactics,
Chicago High Schools,
107 South Morgan Street,
Chicago, Illinois.

March 28, 1934.

To: Commanding General
Sixth Corps Area.

1. Attention invited to letter reference U.S. Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903, number 1091025. According to the records of this office, this rifle has never been issued to the R.O.T.C. Units, Chicago High Schools.

John D. von Holtzendorff
Major Field Artillery,
P.M.S. & T. Chicago High Schools.

[John Beard]

ORD 6 CA 474/37

Hq. Sixth Corps Area,
Ordnance Office,
U.S. Post Office Bldg.,
Chicago, Illinois,

April 2, 1934.

To: Chief of Ordnance,
Washington, D. C.

1. Inviting attention to basic letter and preceding indorsement with request that the U.S. Rifle Cal.30, M1903, No. 1091025 be traced with a view of determining ownership.

2. This rifle is not of record as belonging to any station or organization within this corps area.

James B. Haney,
Captain, Ord. Dept.,
Acting Ordnance Officer.

[John Beard]

O.O. 474.1/6314
Ord. 6CA 474/37
ELK/etc

War Department,
Ordnance Office,
Washington, D. C.,

April 26, 1934

To: Ordnance Officer,
6th Corps Area,
Chicago, Illinois.

1. You are advised that inquiry of the various corps areas and major depots does not reveal any information which would lead to the identity of the rifle in question.

2. In accordance with the policy of this office, it is recommended that every effort be made to secure the return of this arm to the control of the War Department.

By order of the Chief of Ordnance.

R. S. Chavin
Major, Ord. Dept.,
Assistant

[Jim Tarleton]

Definitely Army material.

Jim

[Jim Tarleton]

The rifle was recovered in Chicago on 3-26-1934.

Jim

[John Beard]

The rifle was recovered in Chicago on 3-26-1934.

Jim

The SRS entry is slightly misleading. The rifle was reported as being in a pawn shop on that date. But, Frank used standard SRS nomenclature to describe the correspondence file. The discrepancy is understandable and justified.

J.B.

[Jim Tarleton]

Frank Mallory must have been an interesting individual.

Jim

[Rick the Librarian]

An interesting "behind the scenes" story, John! Thanks!

[Jim Tarleton]

Documentation can be informative as well as misleading.

Jim