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Rare Ohio State Highway Patrol 60th Anniv. Mini Semi-Auto. Old Dominion Scam

$ 26.4

Availability: 99 in stock
  • Year: 1993
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Condition: New
  • Type: Replica Mini
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States

    Description

    This rare piece has an interesting and expensive story!
    Here's my memory of this soap opera.  Don't hold me to it exactly but its close.
    Coming up to the Ohio State Highway Patrol's 60th Anniversary in 1993, the Patrol's General Headquarters contracted with the Old Dominion Engravers Company to sell to the members of the Highway Patrol a commemorative weapon.  This weapon was to be a semi-automatic pistol, I believe a S&W.  Oh it would be a beauty, shiny finish, 60th engraving, personalized, the whole she-bang!
    If memory is accurate, that weapon choice was not all that popular because the Patrol was not carrying an automatic at that time, and certainly not a S&W automatic.  But regardless, sometime in 1992 these could be pre-ordered for the 60th Anniversary for something like 0-0 each.  Some were ordered, but not all that many.
    As 1993 and the 60th gala in November of that year approached, either no information or stalling information was received from Old Dominion regarding the status of our orders, Patrol management tried to placate us with "don't worry, your money is safe, the weapon will be delivered" promises.  Time and again.
    During the wait these pewter like replicas were received by those who had ordered the actual weapon.  Kind of like trying to keep us happy while we waited for our 0 purchase.  It is nice, engraved just like the real one was supposed to be, and came in a purple velvet bag with the OSP and Old Dominion logo.
    SO, what happened?  No S&W automatic was ever delivered by Old Dominion and they declared bankruptcy.  Those that had ordered one were S.O.L. and lost their money. Hard to believe a law enforcement agency can get scammed but OSP did.   But we got a mini pewter one!
    I just found this hidden away.  It is as received all those years ago.  The logo's on the bag show wear, but I'm sure it is just some cheap bag not meant to last.  I voted to melt the damn thing down.  Wife said sell it.