Oswald’s Seaport Trader Order Coupon Mystery Solved

[Tim Nickerson]

Didn't solve everything for me. According to the timeline---Oswald picked up the weapons.... both on the same day the month before the issue containing the [revolver] ad was even circulated. How did that happen?  
The January '62 date appears to be a bogus date that has never been corrected.
The date on the ad is illegible...though A J Hidell appears to be 28 yo.
Looks like a bunch of fabricated crap to me.

"One might question how Oswald was able to use a mail-order coupon from the April 1963 issue of True Adventures magazine in mid-March. The answer is simple: most monthly magazines hit newsstands the month prior to the dated publication.

In fact, Chris Simondet was able to determine from the Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries that the February through June 1963 issues of True Adventures magazine were copyrighted long before publication. [19] Here’s what he found:

True Adventures © New Publications, Inc.

Vol. 32, No.2, February 1963 © 4 Dec 1962; B16344
Vol. 32, No.3, April 1963 © 5 Feb 1963; B23227
Vol.32, No.4, June 1963 © 4 April 1963; B32224

The above listing shows that the content of the April 1963 issue had already been locked by February 5, 1963; and therefore, could easily have been printed and on store shelves by mid-March."

https://jfkfiles.blogspot.com/2020/06/solving-mystery-of-oswalds-seaport.html?fbclid=IwAR0ET99izrUtysA8KPvi_sSVnBY5MobXJMyl8YvA7EIeR-21Il6J0xKvBNc

[Jerry Freeman]

One might question how Oswald was able to use a mail-order coupon from the April 1963 issue of True Adventures magazine in mid-March. The answer is simple: most monthly magazines hit newsstands the month prior to the dated publication.

I am aware of that...and read that too in the article but finish it up and try using quotes next time----

The above listing shows that the content of the April 1963 issue had already been locked by February 5, 1963; and therefore, could easily have been printed and on store shelves by mid-March.

OK the magic magazine theory.

Why Oswald used a date of ‘1/27 (no year)’ for the order is puzzling. Perhaps, he hoped to rush the order by back-dating the coupon. Whatever the reason, we now know that the coupon he used came from an issue that had only become available to him at about the time he mailed the order – mid-March, 1963.

The assumption is still basically unclear. Similar ads were determined to have run in various other issues of various other magazines. Why not have torn out one of those [if he was hot for a gun]?

Perhaps, he hoped to rush the order by back-dating the coupon

Speculation to the max. But as long as it supports your view huh?

Mystery solved-- So, now we know for certain that Oswald purchased the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle and the Smith & Wesson revolver at about the same time – probably the same day. The rifle was ordered on March 12, 1963 (as evidenced by the money-order that was purchased that date and which Oswald included with the order coupon). Klein’s Sporting Goods received the rifle order in the mail the next day, March 13, 1963. Seaport Traders also received Oswald’s mail-order for the .38 caliber revolver on March 13, 1963 – a very strong suggestion that Oswald mailed both orders the previous day – March 12.

And I guess we know for certain that he picked up the weapons on the same exact day. Yeah it fits...it just has to

[Peter Goth]

Paperwork for the rifle and pistol are still a train wreck.

[Gerry Down]

There are differences between the two cartoons on the back of the coupon.

Firstly, the carpet is colored grey in one and not the other. I presume this is because perhaps early Xerox machines didn't color solid colors in order to save ink?

Secondly, there are dots and lines in one cartoon and not the other. Is it possible that the same cartoon, but with modifications, was syndicated across several different magazines?

At a stretch, could the CIA/FBI have got hold of one of the versions of the magazine that was sent away for copyright, and it is the coupon from that that they used to purchase the pistol for Oswald and then the magazine subsequently printed the cartoon different in the actual copies they put on newstands than the one they sent off for copyright?

[Michael Walton]

Gerry I think the reason why grey is missing in the originals is because Xerox technology back then was not great. It may have something to do with grayscale and anything in between black and white was not carried over to the copy.

[Jerry Freeman]

He could have walked into a pawn shop any day and bought his weapon with cash. (same goes for the rifle) The whole coupon deal and paying for shipping makes no sense.

But he would not have incriminated himself.. therefore leaving his trail of guilt if he had done that.

Out of curiosity I looked for a similar Commando on Texas Gun Trader...Found one---The 1983 model asking price is $850.00
https://texasguntrader.com/category/901/Handguns-for-Sale-Revolvers-for-Sale/listings/1559728/1983-Colt-Commando-38.html 
It's a Colt not a S&W ...I can't find any S&W Commando.
A Colt Commander now is basically a 1911 .45 auto compact.

[John Tonkovich]

Where is the money order to Seaport Traders?

Not in the National Archives. Or did I miss it?