Oswald’s Seaport Trader Order Coupon Mystery Solved

[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?

[Tim Nickerson]

He could have walked into a pawn shop any day and bought his weapon with cash.

The whole coupon deal and paying for shipping makes no sense.

(same goes for the rifle)

Ordering through mail was the cheapest way for him to get weapons.

[Tim Nickerson]

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

For Oswald and his defenders they are.

[Tim Nickerson]

Where is the money order to Seaport Traders?

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

There was no money order to Seaport Traders.