Info on Marine who owned my S&W 1917

[UtahJarhead]

Thanks for the hat tip, David! (Well, a little more than a hat tip, but that's what I'm calling it.)

I'd prefer you not die, regardless of the time it happens. However, when that happens, Sgt Bierkle's revolver will have an outstanding location under glass and kept regulated should its need be required. A good gun should be occasionally fired.

[Davidwhitewolf]

ORVILLE BIERKLE'S KOREA DIARY, 70 YEARS AGO TODAY.

SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER: After breakfast, which was partly frozen, we moved out and proceeded over the ridges to Hagaru-ri to the north. By cutting across country, the distance from Koto-ri to Hagaru-ri was shortened considerably. It was a slippery trip over the snow-covered ridges. It was difficult to get any traction with our field shoes, and the men were slipping and sliding continually. We were exhausted from the exertion and our feet were getting cold because our shoes had soaked through. The walking, slipping and sliding did keep the circulation going, however, so our feet didn't freeze.

Around midmorning we arrived at the last ridge overlooking Hagaru-ri in the valley. We could see the Chosin Reservoir from here. Hagaru-ri lay in a portion of a plain at the southwest edge of the reservoir, with the road running north and south through it and another road coming in from the west, just below. This road was to become famous later on.

As we crossed the plain, we flushed out a CC soldier who had been hiding in one of the huts that were scattered about. We were quite surprised to find that he was wearing tennis shoes, which looked more than a little odd with his quilted uniform that included a matching trooper-style quilted hat with earflaps. He had no gloves, so he would pull his hands up inside his sleeves to keep them warm.

We discovered that all the CC we encountered were similarly clothed. Sometimes they might have an overcoat, but that was the exception, not the rule. These troops must have suffered in that intense cold.

We found out later that many CC POW's had frozen hands and feet, their feet so badly swollen from the frostbite that the canvas on their shoes was split, as well as the flesh on their feet. How they managed to walk is beyond me. There must be a lot of amputee Korean War veterans in China, if they haven't been relegated to the fertilizer pits. We found many frozen CC in their foxholes later on, often glazed over with ice. Their quilted uniforms, not being water repellent, would soak up moisture qnd and freeze the wearers in.

We got into Hagaru-ri in time for chow. My were hands were so cold that I didn't have the strength to work the can-opener to get my ration can open; the lieutenant had to do it for me. I finally thawed out enough to eat. Afterward, we set up positions on the northwest edge of town. I used part of a wrecked house to make a comfy foxhole, if that were possible.

During the night a firefight developed around a cluster of huts about a half mile to the north of us. Later, our guns at Koto-ri fired a number of rounds, on some fire mission. We could hear the guns fire behind us, and a few seconds later we could hear the shells passing overhead. As i recall, a 105mm had a range of about 15 miles. We later got in some 155's with longer range.

[Davidwhitewolf]

ORVILLE BIERKLE'S KOREA DIARY, 70 YEARS AGO TODAY.

MONDAY, 13 NOVEMBER: We had a few more frostbite cases during the night. It was getting much colder, well below freezing. Later in the morning we were issued snow pacs which, in my opinion, were useless. They did keep our feet dry, but they didn't let the perspiration out. In theory, the socks were supposed to wick it out, but in the meantime the damp socks froze and you got frostbite if there were no way to dry the shoes out.

The boots could be dried by swishing hot pebbles around inside them, but if they got too close to a fire, the rubber melted. And of course, if a CC were firing at you the whole procedure was out of the question. They did have inner soles that could be switched with a dry set, but even that could be difficult in combat.

While nosing around, we found a cache of 76mm artillery shells, of Russian origin, in a cave. They were neatly stacked and ready for use. Russian symbols were on the shell casings and on some of the boxes. A variety of additional ammunition was found later and, as before, it appeared to be stored rather than abandoned. Except for the munitions that we could use; it was all destroyed.

In the late afternoon our 3rd platoon was moved to new positions southwest of town. We dug in near a cluster of huts and were set up as an outpost and flank guards for an artillery battery. We could now eat hot chow, prepared in the field kitchens. We ate with the battery's Headquarters and Service Company. Their CO was a Californian from San Francisco. He and I hit it right off (the rest of the Marines were from back east) and as a result, he saw to it that we had plenty of chow and coffee.

Our job was to keep the CC away from the gun [artillery], which they hated with a passion. I can't blame them, I would rather face an infantry attack than undergo shelling where there's no way to fight back. That night we watched the mortars fire star shells over the plain, in front of us. Our weaponry was augmented by several .50 caliber machine guns that we were glad to have along. When they spoke, things moved.

[Davidwhitewolf]

While the Sergeant of 70 years ago is enjoying his hot chow, I'll take the liberty in the next several posts of providing an update on the revolver itself. Briefly, my task on Veterans' Day was to restore the revolver to the condition I found it that long-ago day in the little corner gun shop in Pleasant Hill. Incidentally, I'd forgotten how long ago that was!

Here's a photo I took in October 2005 of the revolver with two others from my beginning collection. Somewhere I have the paperwork with the actual date of purchase, but it was at least that far back. As you can see, I was fond of the Pearlite grips.


From top: Ruger Security-Six in .357 Magnum; S&W 1917 in .45 ACP; Ruger Redhawk in .44 Magnum.

[Davidwhitewolf]

Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

Aside from the Pearlite grips, I'd added a Wondersight. Useful for long-range shooting, but not original, so off it goes.


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

Incidentally, I bought my first set of hollow-ground screwdriver tips from Brownells just for this revolver, to ensure I didn't damage the screw slots!

[Davidwhitewolf]

Now, the Pearlite grips I'd ordered were advertised as for a generic S&W N-frame, but interestingly they're marked as being for a 38-44 Heavy Duty. Which may turn out to be an important point.


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

When the revolver and err, the revolver's original grips flew on the Collings' Foundation's "Witchcraft" a few years back, I'd just tossed the grips in my pack without taking them out of the Ziplock baggie I'd stored them in since 2005 or earlier. And to the casual glance they looked like old wood grips, albeit in very nice shape. So I was astonished to find the other day upon inspection that they were not made of wood at all, but what felt like a cheap toy plastic!


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

Now, as for provenance, all I can say for sure is that these grips were on the revolver when I bought it. I can't say for certain they were on the revolver at Chosin. And they're in such pristine condition I initially assumed they were some sort of 1970s plastic product the Sergeant added after he returned home. They couldn't be older than that, right???

[Davidwhitewolf]

Well, turns out they're Franzite grips, made by Sports, Inc. out of Chicago, Illinois. I was completely unfamiliar with them, but they have a colorful history, as in "St. Valentine's Day Massacre" colorful.


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

Now the Franzite logo is far more stylish than the 1970s makers' marks I recall from my Fisher-Price and other plastic toys, so I wondered if these were made from Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic. I'm somewhat familiar with it from my 102-year-old grandmother's vintage cooking utensils with Bakelite handles.


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

But no! From the Franzitegrips.com website:

"These grips are often described as made from Bakelite but were actually manufactured using a plastic similar to Tenite™. These types of synthetics were first introduced in 1929. The product was an air dried synthetic described as a versatile, durable, and attractive cellulosic plastic."

Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

Except for the splash of silver... paint? bedding compound? on the left grip panel, they're in beautiful condition.

I also noticed the "HD" marking on both panels. I wonder if these grips were also for the .38-44 Heavy Duty? If so, these grips could date to no earlier than 1930 when that revolver was introduced. They're certainly not the original-issued wood grips for the Model of 1917.




Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

Now, could they have been the grips the revolver wore at Chosin? The Franzitegrips.com website isn't much help in that regard. Just because the .38-44 came out in 1930 does not mean that Peter von Frantzius produced grips for it immediately. The website's list of grip models is unfortunately very incomplete. And Sports, Inc. continued producing and selling Franzite grips until it closed in 1969, coincidentally the year of my birth. So while the Bierkles might have bought them before 1950, the grips could well have been a post-Korean war purchase instead.

Still, they look good, don't they?


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

[Davidwhitewolf]

(This is a good time to remind folks that this revolver did serve in World War 1 with Orville Bierkle's grandfather. Presumably not at Belleau Wood, but here's a reenactment.)


S&W 1917 at Belleau Wood by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

[Davidwhitewolf]

Some pics of the barrel and markings:


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

If you zoom in, you can see the underside of the barrel is marked "United States Pr"... "Pro..." "Prop..." Gee, with all the glare I can't make the rest of it out. Oh well!


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

[Davidwhitewolf]

Here's the restored revolver in its case.


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

You'll notice a couple of new additions to the case's contents.


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

Those are Chosin Few Battle Coins, from the Chosin Few organization of which the Sergeant was a proud member. (Thank you, Jerry!) They have memberships available, and also Chosin Few Challenge Coins and other items for sale as well, if you'd like to support the Sergeant's old organization in that way.


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

The coins depict the Chosin Reservoir Memorial at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Here's a gallery of photos of the monument.


Restoring Original Grips on Bierkle Revolver by Davidwhitewolf of Random Nuclear Strikes blog, on Flickr

If you don't know the Story of the Star of Koto-Ri that tops the memorial, well, click this link. Official version here.

Recall (from posts #42, 75, 78, and 105 in this thread) that Sergeant Bierkle's parents were Seventh-Day Adventist missionaries in Nanking. We don't know the Sergeant's exact religious sensibilities, but from his membership in the Chosin Few and the great meaning the battle had to him (see posts #47 and 55), it's clear the Star of Koto-ri held great meaning for him too.

I did not know about the Story of the Star until I wrote this very post.

Thanks for following along on this amazing journey with me. We now return to our regularly scheduled visits with the Sergeant, so long ago, and yet so very near.

[Davidwhitewolf]

ORVILLE BIERKLE'S KOREA DIARY, 70 YEARS AGO TODAY.

TUESDAY 14 NOVEMBER - THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER: We stayed with the artillery as flank guards. Things were pretty quiet, so there wasn't much to do. We cleaned our weapons and gear, heard a few lectures and caught up on our sleep. At night we had roving patrols and shook down the huts for any CC who might be trying to sneak in to get warm. They would do this and then leave before daybreak to go back into the hills. We didn't find any during this time, but other outfits did.

It seemed as though the CC would just disappear.

We could watch our bulldozers scooping out an airstrip west of us, for Marine Corsairs. Until it was completed, they had to fly from Hamhung, or from carriers off the coast of Korea.

One afternoon, a Corsair was hit by CC ground fire as it was working over some of their positions. We saw him coming over tracing smoke. It circled us and dropped its napalm in the hills, then bellied in. After it slid to a stop, the pilot climbed out, apparently unhurt. The aircraft was a loss and was destroyed after essential gear was removed.

[Davidwhitewolf]

ORVILLE BIERKLE'S KOREA DIARY, 70 YEARS AGO TODAY.

FRIDAY, 17 NOVEMBER: We stayed in the area until early evening, assigned to trouble-shooting duty. If trouble developed, we would be sent in to plug up the gaps. We went back into town and slept in a barn with the crew of a 4.2-inch mortar outfit. The barn was quite aromatic, since the previous occupants, cattle, hadn't cleaned up before they left.

It had begun to snow again, quiet and peaceful to watch. A radio jeep was parked outside and one of the mortar crew managed to pick up the Armed Forces Radio Service broadcast from Tokyo. A passage from the divertimento from Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" was playing, fitting in nicely. I'll never forget it as long as I live. Whenever I hear that passage, I'll be taken back to that smelly barn above the 38th parallel in Korea. Tokyo came in very clear that night. The 4.2's fired at targets in the hills most of the night. The CC were getting bolder and starting to probe our lines. We could see greater numbers of their campfires after dark.

[Davidwhitewolf]

ORVILLE BIERKLE'S KOREA DIARY, 70 YEARS AGO TODAY.

SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER: This morning we went across the river east of town and settled down in some sort of railroad shed, or shop. There were a variety of tools and equipment lying about.

The platoon was divided in half for split watches. We were to relieve another company while they went out on patrol. The first half stood watch until 1400, then the second half, which I was in, relieved them. Actually, we were on outpost duty. We sat around drinking coffee and trying to keep warm until it was our turn to go out.

It was quite a job, trying to climb this slippery hill with our weapons and as much firewood for our warming fires as we could carry. I went to a foxhole that I had all to myself and got my fire started.

It was a dull, overcast day with occasional snow flurries, and it made coffee or hot cocoa most welcome. I tried to melt snow in my canteen cup to make coffee water, and found that it takes a lot of snow to make a cup of water. We were finally relieved late in the afternoon and it was almost dark when we slid down the hill, moved back into town and picked up our gear.

My fire team found a house that was in pretty good shape, so we moved in. We stuffed some rags and paper in the holes in the wall, hung ponchos over the windows and doors and set up housekeeping. We scrounged up an oil drum and made a stove out of it. We had a real cozy set-up, and we had mail waiting for us.

[Davidwhitewolf]

ORVILLE BIERKLE'S KOREA DIARY, 70 YEARS AGO TODAY.

SUNDAY 19 NOVEMBER: About 0200 we were alerted to move out on 15 minute notice because of some trouble on the perimeter, but it was taken care of and we weren't needed. Other than that, it was a quiet night. After chow, we straightened up the place and made it more livable. The sun was out so we dried out our sleeping bags, shaved, and generally cleaned up.

A demolition team came by later in the morning and told us that there was an unexploded 500 pound high-explosive bomb stuck in a well just in back of our house. They were going to explode it in the afternoon and we would have to clear out when they did.

We went over to the well to look at it. It had penetrated the earth next to the well, gone into the well shaft and lodged against the opposite wall. The arming mechanism apparently had jammed, causing it to become a dud. The demo crew had covered it over with sandbags in case it decided to go off by itself. After we cleared out with our gear, the demo crew touched it off with a charge of TNT. It went off with a bang, of course, but didn't hurt our house too much. We moved back in. There was a little more plaster knocked off and a few more holes, which we stuffed up.

[Davidwhitewolf]

ORVILLE BIERKLE'S KOREA DIARY, 70 YEARS AGO TODAY.

MONDAY 20 NOVEMBER: We were issued new supplies and replacement gear. I got a new packs pack, but nothing to put in it. I squawked, but the property sergeant said that everybody was to get a new pack whether they needed it or not. The principle at work was the one that says "If you have one, draw one. If you have two, turn one in." So, I put my boondockers in it. Up to then, I'd been carrying them in my sleeping bag. I hadn't had a pack since the 25th of September, when we'd dropped them.

Later in the afternoon we moved out to new positions near the airstrip. There, we had a chance to examine the remains of the Corsair that we'd seen shot down on the 16th. After dark we set up roving patrols as security. We could see more CC campfires in the hills to the north and west, but they were pretty quiet.