WWIA Raffle!

Duke purchased the stock, barrel and miscellaneous components for the gun and finished it to his liking. Of particular note, was his idea to embed a Veteran’s medallion into the stock.

Duke was in the Army from 1958-1962.  He was Sergeant stationed in Germany and took part in the Cuban Missile Crisis.

At the COWPIE Classic Golf Outing the gun was put on a 100 square grid raffle board. The winner of the Gun was Bob Russel from Scandanavia, WI.  Upon winning the raffle and receiving the gun, he proceeded to donate it back to the COWPIE and asked for the gun to be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the COWPIE Charities.

Paul Precour, a local business man, was asked to step up and act as auctioneer.

Bids were flowing fast and furious and the gun drew a lot of interest among the hundred or so onlookers. The successful bidder of the auction, Steve Koch, a local businessman and supporter of the WWIA Foundation subsequently donated the rifle to the foundation for their benefit.

In total, between the raffle and the auction, the gun raised $2750 at the COWPIE Classic.

Steve contacted Duke and asked if he could embed an additional medallion into the stock. Duke said he could. The gun wash shipped back to Duke and subsequently, the WWIA memorial medallion was added to the gun. The gun was then presented to John McDaniel and his organization as a gift to raffle off at further WWIA events.