[DogByte6RER]

I’m not necessarily trying to defend the guy ... he got the Big Chicken Dinner for other misconduct.

But ... the AK pistol is chrome plated suggesting that it may have been used as a ceremonial weapon for Saddam’s palace guard. While palace guards would be expected to carry functional and loaded weapons, maybe there was something like a palace guard precision drill team? If so, it would make sense that the weapons were de-activated.

I’m just thinking out loud ...

[pingman]

What are the chances this Marine didn’t know the difference? Slim to none.

OTOH, it was quite the souvenir!

[PAR35]

But ... the AK pistol is chrome plated suggesting that it may have been used as a ceremonial weapon for Saddam’s palace guard. While palace guards would be expected to carry functional and loaded weapons, maybe there was something like a palace guard precision drill team? If so, it would make sense that the weapons were de-activated.

If someone can make 20 years in the Marines and not know whether a firearm is functional or not, it speaks very poorly for the organization. But I'm thinking this guy might be a liar as well as a thief.