"Sweetheart"

[870P]

As in the nickname for decorated Vietnam era USN SEAL James "Patches" Watson's well worn customized Ithaca 37.

You can't really tell by this particular pic, but the pistol grip was simply a cut down full stock, to which a single point sling was crudely affixed.

The main reason he went PGO was because he needed something handy that would readily allow him to have at least one hand free in performing his usual duties as pointman, and also because he'd usually fire from the hip anyway.

In the dense jungle terrain where he'd typically be using this shotgun, 15 yards was a long shot apparently. I'm not sure if it even has a bead sight on it?

 

[madashell]

A handy tool for the job I'm sure !

Would like to pick up a duck-bill choke cuz ya never know ...

Thanks for posting the pic. Interesting story.

 

[870P]

Here's a somewhat better pic of this gun.

 

[Midnight Rider]

Often times simple is best......

 

[870P]

I actually emailed Watson about 7 or 8 years ago asking him about this setup, in light of a controversial topic on another gun board where almost every other poster slammed PGO shotguns for other than breaching. I wanted contrary perspective from someone who's been there, done that.

 

[enefgee]

I might be mistaken, but I believe that Chief Watson was the only man to own planks in 2 SEAL Teams, both Team Two and Six.

 

[JTF#]

image hosting no sign up

this dude had one too. the guy at the top.

 

[enefgee]

That's a great photo - looks like they could be standing around a water cooler talking about last night's game, instead of up to their chests in swampy jungle sh*t.