Action looks to be cycling OK. If I understand your question, without an operating rod spring and follower attached to the follower arm and all the other receiver guts, the bolt will stay to the rear when the operating rod handle had been pulled to the rear.   You probably want to tighten the lockbar on your rear sight. It should be cranked all the way down until it is up against the windage knob.

Had to have this; at least one other bidder had the current knowledge on the ultimate delivery location of pistols with the “W” marking with no ordnance bomb, “P” proof, and no marks on the top strap in this SN range so it ran up. Based on the great research work and posts by Charlie Flick and others, I’m 99% confident it will letter to Rosslyn and the OSS. Like many OSS Victories, this one ended up being issued by the Office of Military Government US (OMGUS) to postwar German police forces. This one, marked HE-M, went to a municipal police force in Hessen (Hessen Stadtpolizei). There was a personal connection from Day 1 that called to me on this one: my Great-great-grandfather emigrated from Kassel (in Hessen) in the 1850s after serving in the Hessian Army. My first troop assignment on active duty in the late ‘80s as a young Army Lieutenant was to Ray Barracks in Friedberg, Hessen just outside Frankfurt: the largest city in the three postwar Hessen districts and the former HQ of US Occupation Forces.  After retiring, I also worked in Rosslyn, VA for a brief time as a contractor for the intelligence community. So, I was in two trackable locations where this pistol was located at some point in my own military /career journey.  Too many things to ignore. Comments and observations welcome. I’m exceptionally happy to be the pending owner of this great piece of history (tempered only by not finding it in the wild for a screaming deal). I like the condition also. 

It isn't that far fetched when you have a Marine related helmet associated with Quantico, and having a skull painted on back to come to a Marine Raider conclusion.  So I would be the only person on here to draw that conclusion??  Seriously?? I don't think my theory is more far fetched then your motorcycle helmet theory.  I've seen motorcyle guys wearing German helmets, but a Maddox named helmet with a captain rank, and the word Quantico on the front seems a tad bit weird to me. Lol!!  What was he doing, hanging on base with the Hells Angels??  It doesn't fit and nor does a soap box derby racer helmet. Could you seriously see a kid wearing this for racing?  What, did Quantico hold racing events for kids on base?  Was there a Marine soap box derby team that raced snipers against Raiders.  No!!!  

On Ebay at the moment.  

🤣🤣🤣🤣

It's in the name already... C(K)ARENtan 🤭   But yes, a very common occurrence. I usually point out my jeep is greener than any Tesla; ever seen one where even the upholstery is green? 😏    

Unless 61 feet is an inside joke.    

Thanks for the reply. Here is the other side of the gauntlets. Robert    

I volunteer at out town's historical society and get called in on military items we receive. Last week a local family donated some memorabilia from a family member who was a WW2 Army veteran in the ETO. Included was a 21st Army Group D-Day message from FM Montgomery "To be read out to all Troops".   I've done some basic research on it and am reaching out to the Forum to see if anyone can add some additional insight on it. Specifically, does anyone know the story behind the additional Montgomery signature in red at the right top corner? I saw images for a couple of these with the additional red signature online but no explanation why that was done. I've examined the red signature under strong magnification and it may be an actual signature and not printed like the signature in black at the bottom. We are having an autograph expert examine it.   Also, the date (day and month) has been hand-written in red on the lower left of the document. Most other documents I saw online had only the year, 1944.  This one and the 2 others I saw online with the red signature also had this date feature. Under strong magnification it appears the date was originally written as 5-6- 1944. Then the "5" was written over to make it a "6". I'm wondering if this is tied to the 24-hour delay to the landings General Eisenhower ordered due to weather.   Any insight anyone would have on this document would be greatly appreciated.   Thanks.   Dennis

I am attaching two photos of original Typhus Commission Medals. I am wondering why the two different styles of locking catches. For simplicity I am calling the catch that bears a resemblance to the WWI Victory Medal catch at Type 1 and the style more commonly seen on post 1942 campaign and Victory Medals the Type 2. I have seen more Type 1 styles than the Type 2. But with a run of only about 250 medals I wonder why the change in the catches? Is one associated with the Army and the other with the Navy?    Looking forward to hearing from the experts out there since I have never handled an original of this medal.   Type 1          Type 2