Sadly, I sold the Trooper. When I got married in 1974, I was Chief of Security for a private agency, a job I had originally taken because I would not mind quitting to go make a movie. When I was promoted two years later to Chief, after a string of advancements, I started wearing civilian clothes, so I made the change to a three inch model 36 S&W, which I still have, along with a Model 38 Bodyguard, which I usually carry now. I inherited a Model 459 S&W from my faher in law, and also still have a Star Model BS from the Spanish Navy. A guy in Louisiana made me a set of rosewood grips for it. Four months after our marriage, the agency was sold, and I went to work for the Georgia Department of Labor. (BTW, speaking of selling things, my wife's engagement ring is a 650 Yamaha motorcycle. I still get a kick out of telling people that! And, her maiden name was Kuhl; she went from "cool" to "Boring".)

Alas, during the early years of our marriage, I sold an accurized model 1911 A1, made by Remington during the war. That was one sweet shooter. My .44 Mag Great Western single action, with a holster and belt I made for it, went as well, along with a S&W K22 Masterpiece and a Colt Model 1917 in .45 ACP. Ah, the mistakes of youth! My Colt 1860 Army and a .31 caliber Manhatten pocket pitol were stolen during a change of residence. I enjoyed shooting those old cap and ball weapons, though I had retired the Manhatten. I fired it at an oak board once, and the ball ricocheted and hit me in the shoulder! I was wearing a flannel shirt and Marine dungaree jacket, so it didn't break the skin, but I have a keloid scar near my left collarbone. I've also got a .30 caliber bullet in my left wrist, from a training accident, but that's another story. My 1860 Army was well used, and likely saw service in the WTBS. I traded for it with a teenager in Florida, when I was stationed in Jacksonville. There, Jim. Back on track! Stan