.50 BMG Swagger Stick

[DSchlagan]

I recently picked up this swagger stick; OAL 20 5/16".

 

 

 

Flash tube from an arty round?

 

 

 

'43 dated head stamp from Des Moines Ordnance Plant.

 

 

I expected to see a little solder on the joints, but it's a real tight press-fit.

 

Don.

[thorin6]

I've had one of these for years; my father gave it to me while I was still in the Army and I think he may have picked it up at one of his assignments (29 year, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam veteran). I've used it as a pointer, and my understanding that these were pretty popular at military briefings before laser pointers came on the market.

 

 

[DSchlagan]

thorin6,

 

Thanks much for your post.

That is really something, about your father being a Veteran of all three wars.

That stick he gave you is even more of a treasure being that it was his.

I have the notion that an interesting story could go along with that double-struck primer.

 

I found some related info, on these:

 

 

 

General William J. Livsey, who was the Commanding General of the Eighth United States Army in South Korea from 1984 to 1987 publicly carried a swagger stick that was carved from wood collected at the Korean Demilitarized Zone Axe Murder Incident poplar tree.

 

Regards,

Don.

 

Other additions to this thread welcome!

[Spathologist]

 

Where is this display at?

[DSchlagan]

I found that info here.

The museum is private and all visits have to be by appointment; located 20 minutes west of downtown Boston. Virtual Tour.

They have a lot of interesting and rare items.