Greenwald & Haughton Cleveland Ohio

Welcome to the forum Alan.

I have no information, but I am interested in this possible piece of history.

Welcome and thank you for the question. Unfortunately, I have very, very little to offer. First, within the past two years, I recall reading about a similar request for bionoculars during WWII. This article explained that many people responded, but rather than being shipped to England to help with the war, the bionoculars they donated sat in a warehouse until the end of the war when they were returned to the donors. Once again, unfortunately, I can't remember the source for that article, but an on-line search may turn up some leads that could lead to more substantive information. Second, many years ago, the Ohio Gun Collectors' Associaiton moved their meetings to Cleveland. During this period, I met a fellow who was not a member but wanted to sell some things. One of things that he didn't want to sell was a nice side-by-side shotgun that had belonged to his father. He explained that his father had "donated" it during "the war" and that it was returned to him after the war, with a small tag that listed his father's name, address, and date of donation. It still had that tag attached. Third, you might find some information through the Western Reserve Historical Society. It is basically the organization responsible for collecting and preserving the history of the Cleveland area. You have to remember, however, that the vast majority of people that work at such places are generally very anti-gun, so you have to be very "delicate" about the manner in which you ask questions -- don't want any blue-haired ladies dropping over from a heart attack! There are also a couple of other sources that may prove helpful: the NRA's National Firearms Museum, and the Smithsonian Institution. The official name of the office at the Smithsonian in charge of this area is, I think, Smithsonian Institution, Division of Political and Military History. I don't know anyone there any more, but the head curator that may be helpful is Frank Blazich. Hope this helps and please keep us posted on what you learn.

The SOE was a underground hit and run organization formed in the U.K. At one time they numbered over 13,000. They secretly fought against the Axis Powers, and for Allied Forces. Originally, they fought with captured Axis weapons. They were also supplied with inexpensive weapons, such as the Sten. In 1941, the U.S sent firearms, mostly handguns, to them to further the cause. Other countries did the same. The names Greenwald and Haughton are both names from the U.K., so it would seem likely that these were part of this organization or sympathizers of it.

being from Cleveland I have an interest in most thing from its heydays.

The National Rifle Association put out a national appeal asking all Americans that had spare guns to donate them. These went to British home guard units (their last line of defense, manned by those not medically qualified or too old for uniformed serivce). Thankfully the German invasion of England never happened.

Article by Keefe appeared in the 2015 American Rifleman Throw Back Thursday : Send a Gun to Protect a British Home . The ad appeared in the November 1940 issue of the NRA publication of American Rifleman. Great read!

Thank you!

AlanDavid said:

Greenwald & Haughton.

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I have to wonder if G&H were importers/exporters. Which would mean they had access to, or the ability to make, shipping crates and the like. Along with knowing the shipping managers at the various steamship companies.

And, further to the point, of knowing the legal requirements of such things reaching the UK shores. Like making sure they went to MoD rather than Customs & Excise, for instance.