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SURVIVE Magazine #18 March 2023 is the fourth supplemental story released as part of the in-universe gun magazine press outlet "SURVIVE Magazine" conceived for the CAPCOM X Tokyo Marui airsoft partnership. This issue focuses on the new custom SG-09 R handgun used by Leon S. Kennedy in the remake BIOHAZARD RE:4.
In this issue, the staff of SURVIVE Magazine have requested for a sociologist, Joey Belladonna, to write an article concerning his sighting of a previously unheard of Kendo Custom based on the H&K USP at a 10th anniversary ceremony for the founding of the DSO (Division of Security Operations), where the gun was present as an exhibit. Joe Kendo appears using the pseudonym "John Smith" and offers more details on the gun. The gun's unique identification "SG-60551" is a reference to the chassis no. of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost car famed for its smooth, quiet operation that eliminated vibration and had a heavy chassis, features attempted by this gun. "Silver Ghost 09 R" is thus the gun's full formal name. The handgun from the original biohazard 4 is identified as the "SG", the Silver Ghost. |
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PAGE 1
1. GETTING STARTED
"I heard there's a "Kendo Custom" based on the USP model."
The unexpected phone call on my day off gave me such a jolt I didn't even need the coffee I'd poured to wake up my half-asleep head.
It was a sighting of an "unknown Kendo Custom" that has never even been rumored before.
A gun shop owner, who also happens to be an avid SURVIVE Magazine reader, related to me an exchange they had with a customer who claimed to have witnessed it.
"By the way, owner, I saw a USP Custom the other day with a "Kendo" printing on it, is that gun really such a masterpiece they call it the "best gun in the world"?"
The owner couldn't hide his astonishment at the words uttered by the customer visiting his gun shop.
...If the owner had to describe the customer, they'd be a serious, sincere, and firm person fitting the image of a sociologist, not someone to lie or exaggerate stories. As far as he's concerned, he's the type to regard guns solely as tools for self-defense, rather than a hobby or interest... so it seems.
That's why the words coming from him felt so strange yet, paradoxically, harbored an odd truth to them.
He didn't feel like someone who'd be talking about a Kendo Custom.
I, too, had never heard of a Kendo Custom that's based on the USP.
I hadn't even found it while searching the Internet. It was definitely a scoop!
I asked the owner to set up an appointment to meet with the customer, then ended the call.
The coffee, gone cold, quenched my thirst. I was going to meet him. That's all I could think about.
1. GETTING STARTED
"I heard there's a "Kendo Custom" based on the USP model."
The unexpected phone call on my day off gave me such a jolt I didn't even need the coffee I'd poured to wake up my half-asleep head.
It was a sighting of an "unknown Kendo Custom" that has never even been rumored before.
A gun shop owner, who also happens to be an avid SURVIVE Magazine reader, related to me an exchange they had with a customer who claimed to have witnessed it.
"By the way, owner, I saw a USP Custom the other day with a "Kendo" printing on it, is that gun really such a masterpiece they call it the "best gun in the world"?"
The owner couldn't hide his astonishment at the words uttered by the customer visiting his gun shop.
...If the owner had to describe the customer, they'd be a serious, sincere, and firm person fitting the image of a sociologist, not someone to lie or exaggerate stories. As far as he's concerned, he's the type to regard guns solely as tools for self-defense, rather than a hobby or interest... so it seems.
That's why the words coming from him felt so strange yet, paradoxically, harbored an odd truth to them.
He didn't feel like someone who'd be talking about a Kendo Custom.
I, too, had never heard of a Kendo Custom that's based on the USP.
I hadn't even found it while searching the Internet. It was definitely a scoop!
I asked the owner to set up an appointment to meet with the customer, then ended the call.
The coffee, gone cold, quenched my thirst. I was going to meet him. That's all I could think about.
PAGE 2
Mr. Joey Belladonna witnessed and held the phantom Kendo Custom "SG-09 R" in person, so that's why we've asked him to write this report.
Last but not least, we'd like to express our gratitude to Mr. Joey for his kind willingness to take on penning this contribution, and my apologies and thanks go to our editorial staff who waited until the very last minute before finishing the manuscript.
Furthermore, this is the start, but we believe we'll receive a follow-up report in the near future, so please look forward to that as well.
Mr. Joey Belladonna witnessed and held the phantom Kendo Custom "SG-09 R" in person, so that's why we've asked him to write this report.
Last but not least, we'd like to express our gratitude to Mr. Joey for his kind willingness to take on penning this contribution, and my apologies and thanks go to our editorial staff who waited until the very last minute before finishing the manuscript.
Furthermore, this is the start, but we believe we'll receive a follow-up report in the near future, so please look forward to that as well.
PAGE 3
■ Washington, D.C.
Located in the District of Columbia, it's the capital of the United States of America and a major city in the US.
The city's full of life with more than a million people coming and going.
■ Washington Convention Center
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the main venue for trade fairs, exhibitions, and international conferences in Washington, D.C., located in the heart of downtown.
■ DSO <Division of Security Operations>
An organization of agents under the President's direct command, to which Leon Kennedy belongs.
The DSO was formed in 2011 by directive of President Adam Benford.
All their missions are directly ordered by the President, with the nature of their investigations and operations under the "President's direct command" being mainly extremely difficult <clandestine missions> that have highly classified ranks and aren't reported in the news.
■ Washington, D.C.
Located in the District of Columbia, it's the capital of the United States of America and a major city in the US.
The city's full of life with more than a million people coming and going.
■ Washington Convention Center
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the main venue for trade fairs, exhibitions, and international conferences in Washington, D.C., located in the heart of downtown.
■ DSO <Division of Security Operations>
An organization of agents under the President's direct command, to which Leon Kennedy belongs.
The DSO was formed in 2011 by directive of President Adam Benford.
All their missions are directly ordered by the President, with the nature of their investigations and operations under the "President's direct command" being mainly extremely difficult <clandestine missions> that have highly classified ranks and aren't reported in the news.
PAGE 4
2. DSO FOUNDING 10TH ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY
My name is Joey Belladonna. I am a sociologist. I have no experience in writing texts to be published for this sort of paper, so I hope you'll forgive me if you find the text as hard to read as some kind of dissertation.
I would like to begin with how I came to witness a gun with "Kendo" printed on it.
The Raccoon Incident was a turning point for worldwide crisis management agendas, adding a novel subject. The global threat of biological hazards.
In contrast to natural disasters, this new crisis category is biological disasters.
Better still, they're more akin to nuclear weapons or radioactive contamination, or more aptly referred to as biological weapons.
The crisis we're currently facing has progressed to an ever more advanced stage.
Corpses that move around attacking people indiscriminately... There is ongoing production of Zombies and B.O.W.'s (Bio Organic Weapons), which can only be described as monsters after repeated mutations, and as a result jurisdiction for response has shifted from medical to law enforcement agencies.
Since these aren't natural disasters but rather weapons, there are people and organizations that create and make use of them, and it has thus become imperative for crisis management to counteract and prevent them.
...What I've been talking about since I started is something quite unlike a gun report, but as this is more my area of expertise, please bear with me a little while longer.
In any case, the DSO (Division of Security Operations) was founded by President Adam Benford in 2011 to combat such biological hazards. As it reports directly to the White House, the DSO has long been kept classified, with it being said not even half its members or specifics of its operations have been disclosed.
The DSO held a commemoration for its 10th anniversary. The location was Washington, D.C.
Publicly holding a ceremony to commemorate its 10th anniversary like this may, of course, be intended as a celebration, but I wonder if it may even have an additional implication as indirect pressure on hostile forces that still employ biological hazards, like a military parade, so to speak. Therefore, in addition to the event program in the form of a so-called ceremony, operational documentation and equipment, etc., would also be unveiled. It was a bit like a military tech exhibit.
While even the mass media were restricted solely to the journalistic kind, scholars like myself who are members of the general public, albeit researchers, were permitted to participate in the ceremony for the benefit of publicizing the demonstration and, in turn, encouraging proper understanding among public opinion...
That's the background.
It's been a lengthy preamble, but the venue of this ceremony was where I first witnessed a gun with Kendo printed on it.
2. DSO FOUNDING 10TH ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY
My name is Joey Belladonna. I am a sociologist. I have no experience in writing texts to be published for this sort of paper, so I hope you'll forgive me if you find the text as hard to read as some kind of dissertation.
I would like to begin with how I came to witness a gun with "Kendo" printed on it.
The Raccoon Incident was a turning point for worldwide crisis management agendas, adding a novel subject. The global threat of biological hazards.
In contrast to natural disasters, this new crisis category is biological disasters.
Better still, they're more akin to nuclear weapons or radioactive contamination, or more aptly referred to as biological weapons.
The crisis we're currently facing has progressed to an ever more advanced stage.
Corpses that move around attacking people indiscriminately... There is ongoing production of Zombies and B.O.W.'s (Bio Organic Weapons), which can only be described as monsters after repeated mutations, and as a result jurisdiction for response has shifted from medical to law enforcement agencies.
Since these aren't natural disasters but rather weapons, there are people and organizations that create and make use of them, and it has thus become imperative for crisis management to counteract and prevent them.
...What I've been talking about since I started is something quite unlike a gun report, but as this is more my area of expertise, please bear with me a little while longer.
In any case, the DSO (Division of Security Operations) was founded by President Adam Benford in 2011 to combat such biological hazards. As it reports directly to the White House, the DSO has long been kept classified, with it being said not even half its members or specifics of its operations have been disclosed.
The DSO held a commemoration for its 10th anniversary. The location was Washington, D.C.
Publicly holding a ceremony to commemorate its 10th anniversary like this may, of course, be intended as a celebration, but I wonder if it may even have an additional implication as indirect pressure on hostile forces that still employ biological hazards, like a military parade, so to speak. Therefore, in addition to the event program in the form of a so-called ceremony, operational documentation and equipment, etc., would also be unveiled. It was a bit like a military tech exhibit.
While even the mass media were restricted solely to the journalistic kind, scholars like myself who are members of the general public, albeit researchers, were permitted to participate in the ceremony for the benefit of publicizing the demonstration and, in turn, encouraging proper understanding among public opinion...
That's the background.
It's been a lengthy preamble, but the venue of this ceremony was where I first witnessed a gun with Kendo printed on it.
PAGE 5
■ The enigmatic <USP> found at the exhibition booth
What was it used for? There was no explanation. The only clue was this name, "SG-09 R".
■ Front of the slide's right side
There's a Kendo logo printed on it, but nothing else.
The name of the store that undertook the customization? A person's name? A proper noun? The mystery only deepens.
■ Lower part of the grip's left side
The number "SG-60551" isn't a normal "individualized gun ID" serial number.
So then what does it mean?
3. A USP-BASED CUSTOM GUN
After undergoing rigorous identification and body searches, we entered the ceremony venue.
A number of exhibition booths were set up in a largish hall, the place bustling with people as if it were a glamorous private sector trade fair.
Cutting-edge equipment such as germ-resistant protective armaments and reconnaissance drones, even special vehicles, were brought into the room with monitors displaying promotional videos where they traversed a wasteland.
The only difference between this and a civilian exhibition was that both the exhibitors and attendees were prominently comprised of uniformed law enforcement and military personnel.
Meanwhile, there was also a single modest, static section of the building. It was deserted, similar in aspect to a library or museum exhibit.
There was a room where the DSO's archives were accessible to the public, which for me was also the destination I'd set my heart on, why I joined in on the ceremony.
A decade's worth of documents sorted in bulky files by year and category, neatly arranged and completely packing the shelves on the wall. There was simply no way I could exhaustively cover the amount in the two hours I was allowed to stay. Project drafts, financial statements, personnel deployments...
I found the "Investigation Full Account Reports" I was looking for. Investigations concerning the likelihood of biological hazards in various incidents, all compiled into written reports... it was the first time these materials were publicly unveiled.
■ The enigmatic <USP> found at the exhibition booth
What was it used for? There was no explanation. The only clue was this name, "SG-09 R".
■ Front of the slide's right side
There's a Kendo logo printed on it, but nothing else.
The name of the store that undertook the customization? A person's name? A proper noun? The mystery only deepens.
■ Lower part of the grip's left side
The number "SG-60551" isn't a normal "individualized gun ID" serial number.
So then what does it mean?
3. A USP-BASED CUSTOM GUN
After undergoing rigorous identification and body searches, we entered the ceremony venue.
A number of exhibition booths were set up in a largish hall, the place bustling with people as if it were a glamorous private sector trade fair.
Cutting-edge equipment such as germ-resistant protective armaments and reconnaissance drones, even special vehicles, were brought into the room with monitors displaying promotional videos where they traversed a wasteland.
The only difference between this and a civilian exhibition was that both the exhibitors and attendees were prominently comprised of uniformed law enforcement and military personnel.
Meanwhile, there was also a single modest, static section of the building. It was deserted, similar in aspect to a library or museum exhibit.
There was a room where the DSO's archives were accessible to the public, which for me was also the destination I'd set my heart on, why I joined in on the ceremony.
A decade's worth of documents sorted in bulky files by year and category, neatly arranged and completely packing the shelves on the wall. There was simply no way I could exhaustively cover the amount in the two hours I was allowed to stay. Project drafts, financial statements, personnel deployments...
I found the "Investigation Full Account Reports" I was looking for. Investigations concerning the likelihood of biological hazards in various incidents, all compiled into written reports... it was the first time these materials were publicly unveiled.
PAGE 6
As I unfolded one of the files and was about to start recording the gist of it on my voice recorder, I noticed there was a gun set up beside the documents. It was on a simple display stand with no explanatory material that looked relevant, just a nameplate with "SG-09 R" beside the gun. I knew at first glance it was an H&K USP.
This might be rather like teaching fish to swim, but the USP is a gun developed with great success by H&K, a company that values incorporating innovative and unique features, using only older tech in its quest to achieve the standard model for automatic pistols.
It's not hard to imagine the company repeatedly inspecting and scrutinizing it in order to meet its goals, steadily refining its design even if the accompanying choices weren't so original, which is the company's forte.
As someone who makes a living by accumulating scraps of information through quiet investigation to really get to the bottom of things, this approach happened to tug at my heartstrings.
I remember it was for this reason I chose the USP as my personal self-defense pistol, out of many guns that, from my point of view, seemed irreplaceable.
Given these circumstances I can say with confidence the gun displayed here was a USP.
However, it was also clear to me this custom-made gun was completely different from the base one.
"Identical yet different"... Though my recollection's faint, my voice recorder clearly described it as such in my own voice.
My comments kept coming, as if the gun had fascinated me.
The first thing I noticed was the compensator attached to the end of the barrel, which my USP doesn't have.
The shape and material of the compensator, which appears to be an integral part of the slide, tells me it was specially made for this purpose.
The front sight normally located on the slide had been removed and was instead a moulded-on part of the compensator.
Likewise, the rail under the muzzle... known as a Picatinny rail, it was attached to the main body so naturally that I only just realized it was a customization when I returned home later and checked the USP I own to make sure it wasn't there.
Next I referenced the slide.
The slide had been exchanged for a silver slide with what felt like a sandblasted matte finish, although the material's not apparent at first glance. On the slide's left side was a "9mmx19" engraving. The 09 in the SG-09 R on the nameplate is probably a reference to its parabellum round specification.
Other than that, the H&K logo, nitro-proof, and proof house markings were basically the same as those on the USP.
The year of manufacture was "AC," but I didn't know at that time what year this represented. My audio recording said I'd look into it after getting back home.
The right side ejection port also has the company logo and shows the ammunition used with an engraving on it. However there was an unfamiliar print on the slide's right side. It simply spelled "kendo". This printing doesn't appear on the USP I own and was adorned in biggish letters as if it were some sort of logo.
I also reported a slightly different shape to the grip section. The front side of the grip has three finger channels carved into it. The checkered serrations on the rear side, which are often painful when gripping, were changed to the same moulding as on the sides.
There was a plate with SG-60551 embedded in the grip's left side. Another decoration not found on my gun.
Continuing on, I was incidentally about to record a comment concerning the silver-colored slide stop lever when I was suddenly greeted from behind.
"Fine gun eh, it's one of the best in the world after all."
As I unfolded one of the files and was about to start recording the gist of it on my voice recorder, I noticed there was a gun set up beside the documents. It was on a simple display stand with no explanatory material that looked relevant, just a nameplate with "SG-09 R" beside the gun. I knew at first glance it was an H&K USP.
This might be rather like teaching fish to swim, but the USP is a gun developed with great success by H&K, a company that values incorporating innovative and unique features, using only older tech in its quest to achieve the standard model for automatic pistols.
It's not hard to imagine the company repeatedly inspecting and scrutinizing it in order to meet its goals, steadily refining its design even if the accompanying choices weren't so original, which is the company's forte.
As someone who makes a living by accumulating scraps of information through quiet investigation to really get to the bottom of things, this approach happened to tug at my heartstrings.
I remember it was for this reason I chose the USP as my personal self-defense pistol, out of many guns that, from my point of view, seemed irreplaceable.
Given these circumstances I can say with confidence the gun displayed here was a USP.
However, it was also clear to me this custom-made gun was completely different from the base one.
"Identical yet different"... Though my recollection's faint, my voice recorder clearly described it as such in my own voice.
My comments kept coming, as if the gun had fascinated me.
The first thing I noticed was the compensator attached to the end of the barrel, which my USP doesn't have.
The shape and material of the compensator, which appears to be an integral part of the slide, tells me it was specially made for this purpose.
The front sight normally located on the slide had been removed and was instead a moulded-on part of the compensator.
Likewise, the rail under the muzzle... known as a Picatinny rail, it was attached to the main body so naturally that I only just realized it was a customization when I returned home later and checked the USP I own to make sure it wasn't there.
Next I referenced the slide.
The slide had been exchanged for a silver slide with what felt like a sandblasted matte finish, although the material's not apparent at first glance. On the slide's left side was a "9mmx19" engraving. The 09 in the SG-09 R on the nameplate is probably a reference to its parabellum round specification.
Other than that, the H&K logo, nitro-proof, and proof house markings were basically the same as those on the USP.
The year of manufacture was "AC," but I didn't know at that time what year this represented. My audio recording said I'd look into it after getting back home.
The right side ejection port also has the company logo and shows the ammunition used with an engraving on it. However there was an unfamiliar print on the slide's right side. It simply spelled "kendo". This printing doesn't appear on the USP I own and was adorned in biggish letters as if it were some sort of logo.
I also reported a slightly different shape to the grip section. The front side of the grip has three finger channels carved into it. The checkered serrations on the rear side, which are often painful when gripping, were changed to the same moulding as on the sides.
There was a plate with SG-60551 embedded in the grip's left side. Another decoration not found on my gun.
Continuing on, I was incidentally about to record a comment concerning the silver-colored slide stop lever when I was suddenly greeted from behind.
"Fine gun eh, it's one of the best in the world after all."
PAGE 7
■ Normal SG-09 R disassembly
A very valuable photo of a normal disassembly.
At first glance, it's hard to tell where the customization's been done, is this the height of perfection?
4. THE MAN CALLING HIMSELF JOHN SMITH
"Fine gun eh, it's one of the best in the world after all."
He must've been around 70-years-old judging from his short hair-combed head, heavy glasses, and white beard.
His overall silhouette was rounded but he had a good amount of muscle beneath the fat.
He looked most like a retired soldier, but unlike the other soldiers there, he wasn't wearing a military uniform.
He was clearly a resident of a different world from me, a knowledge worker. That was my first impression.
Who was he? The man turned his head toward me for the first time and answered with a relaxed smile. "...Right, call me John Smith." It was an alias, of course. I guess he wasn't kidding around.
There are more than a handful of reasons why someone qualified to participate in a DSO ceremony would assume a fake name.
Introducing himself using an obvious pseudonym, he wouldn't answer even if I were to ask him, so it wasn't worth the effort... it'd be pressure.
"With that "identical but different" comment... I think you're on the right track, heh.
I know a little bit about that gun. You want to talk to me about it?"
I would've refused.
I'd just spent an unplanned amount of time being mesmerized by a gun when I could've spent more time just rummaging through documents. I couldn't afford to waste any more time... and while I was thinking about it, he took my silence as an affirmation.
"The required specs of "stable operation," "high precision," "solid rigidity," and "easy-to-maneuver weight balance" were as laughable as an OHWS (※) trial. It was in 2002, I think. I remember being astonished at the signature on the trial order.
I wouldn't be exaggerating to call them a big name let me tell ya, so guess who? ...It was the CIA Director at the time, Adam Benford."
※ Offensive Handgun Weapon System/OHWS, an initiative of the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
■ Normal SG-09 R disassembly
A very valuable photo of a normal disassembly.
At first glance, it's hard to tell where the customization's been done, is this the height of perfection?
4. THE MAN CALLING HIMSELF JOHN SMITH
"Fine gun eh, it's one of the best in the world after all."
He must've been around 70-years-old judging from his short hair-combed head, heavy glasses, and white beard.
His overall silhouette was rounded but he had a good amount of muscle beneath the fat.
He looked most like a retired soldier, but unlike the other soldiers there, he wasn't wearing a military uniform.
He was clearly a resident of a different world from me, a knowledge worker. That was my first impression.
Who was he? The man turned his head toward me for the first time and answered with a relaxed smile. "...Right, call me John Smith." It was an alias, of course. I guess he wasn't kidding around.
There are more than a handful of reasons why someone qualified to participate in a DSO ceremony would assume a fake name.
Introducing himself using an obvious pseudonym, he wouldn't answer even if I were to ask him, so it wasn't worth the effort... it'd be pressure.
"With that "identical but different" comment... I think you're on the right track, heh.
I know a little bit about that gun. You want to talk to me about it?"
I would've refused.
I'd just spent an unplanned amount of time being mesmerized by a gun when I could've spent more time just rummaging through documents. I couldn't afford to waste any more time... and while I was thinking about it, he took my silence as an affirmation.
"The required specs of "stable operation," "high precision," "solid rigidity," and "easy-to-maneuver weight balance" were as laughable as an OHWS (※) trial. It was in 2002, I think. I remember being astonished at the signature on the trial order.
I wouldn't be exaggerating to call them a big name let me tell ya, so guess who? ...It was the CIA Director at the time, Adam Benford."
※ Offensive Handgun Weapon System/OHWS, an initiative of the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
PAGE 8
An odd groan managed to escape my mouth as I wondered how much sound I made at that moment.
If the man's story is to be believed, a custom-made gun from 2002 was on display at a ceremony for the DSO, which was founded in 2011.
I wondered why they'd exhibit an unrelated gun from nearly a decade before the DSO's formation. It was certainly there though.
Moreover, the custom looked clearly over-engineered for the CIA's typical "foreign intelligence activities." But what if it had already been designed for "combatting biological hazards"?
Perhaps the intention was for it to take on Zombies and B.O.W.'s created by disasters...
Indeed, the Raccoon Incident that started it all happened in 1998.
Isn't it much more incongruous to have the perception of the government not doing anything about it for 13 years before the DSO was established? "Adam Benford had already formed and began activities with a predecessor "unknown organization" more than a decade before he founded the modern DSO." If this hypothesis is correct, then unacknowledged biological disasters have occurred before, even been prevented. This defies our scholarly perception of biological disasters. A veil we never even knew was there suddenly materialized.
I don't even know if the story from the man using an alias is true or not. Not having the time to deal with it, I simply brushed it off and went back to my research. However, having unexpectedly caught a glimpse of what was behind the veil, the scholarly part of my mind began to reel. I feigned calmness in order to somehow extract information from this cautious individual using a fake name.
"I'd built a custom gun prior to the SG-09 R, one I designed to be the "best in the world." One worthy of the "SG" title. My idea for the custom was an all-in-one that greedily incorporated various innovative mechanisms.
...It was chimerized to the extent the base model was no longer recognizable, but it was built upon miraculous balancing and wound up one-of-a-kind, living up to its title. At the time, I even used the phrase "Do not adjust without consultation" to mean "No need for adjustment." The first thing that comes to mind is that the SG's a very simple and elegant model. I truly believed that was the reason for the SG name."
"...I was a total goddamn moron. By the time the SG returned from South America, I saw signs it had been disassembled and put back together a bunch of times.
It was a miraculously balanced gun, and if you had to reassemble it... you know, don't you?
What that meant is that in order to survive in a tough field site, you needed to optimize it to respond to the conditions.
That made me realize this one was mediocre, not truly getting the idea of the SG despite bearing the name."
The man calling himself "Smith", regardless of his intent... continued to speak, as if he was repenting.
It appeared he'd apparently been talking about a custom gun that was different from the gun right in front of me labeled "SG-09 R."
My interest was in the "unknown organization" rather than the guns themselves, but I hadn't caught any leads to get to the bottom of it. I figured I had no choice but to keep listening closely while probing for clues within what the man was saying.
"That's why I made this fella."
The man suddenly picked up the gun on display.
An odd groan managed to escape my mouth as I wondered how much sound I made at that moment.
If the man's story is to be believed, a custom-made gun from 2002 was on display at a ceremony for the DSO, which was founded in 2011.
I wondered why they'd exhibit an unrelated gun from nearly a decade before the DSO's formation. It was certainly there though.
Moreover, the custom looked clearly over-engineered for the CIA's typical "foreign intelligence activities." But what if it had already been designed for "combatting biological hazards"?
Perhaps the intention was for it to take on Zombies and B.O.W.'s created by disasters...
Indeed, the Raccoon Incident that started it all happened in 1998.
Isn't it much more incongruous to have the perception of the government not doing anything about it for 13 years before the DSO was established? "Adam Benford had already formed and began activities with a predecessor "unknown organization" more than a decade before he founded the modern DSO." If this hypothesis is correct, then unacknowledged biological disasters have occurred before, even been prevented. This defies our scholarly perception of biological disasters. A veil we never even knew was there suddenly materialized.
I don't even know if the story from the man using an alias is true or not. Not having the time to deal with it, I simply brushed it off and went back to my research. However, having unexpectedly caught a glimpse of what was behind the veil, the scholarly part of my mind began to reel. I feigned calmness in order to somehow extract information from this cautious individual using a fake name.
"I'd built a custom gun prior to the SG-09 R, one I designed to be the "best in the world." One worthy of the "SG" title. My idea for the custom was an all-in-one that greedily incorporated various innovative mechanisms.
...It was chimerized to the extent the base model was no longer recognizable, but it was built upon miraculous balancing and wound up one-of-a-kind, living up to its title. At the time, I even used the phrase "Do not adjust without consultation" to mean "No need for adjustment." The first thing that comes to mind is that the SG's a very simple and elegant model. I truly believed that was the reason for the SG name."
"...I was a total goddamn moron. By the time the SG returned from South America, I saw signs it had been disassembled and put back together a bunch of times.
It was a miraculously balanced gun, and if you had to reassemble it... you know, don't you?
What that meant is that in order to survive in a tough field site, you needed to optimize it to respond to the conditions.
That made me realize this one was mediocre, not truly getting the idea of the SG despite bearing the name."
The man calling himself "Smith", regardless of his intent... continued to speak, as if he was repenting.
It appeared he'd apparently been talking about a custom gun that was different from the gun right in front of me labeled "SG-09 R."
My interest was in the "unknown organization" rather than the guns themselves, but I hadn't caught any leads to get to the bottom of it. I figured I had no choice but to keep listening closely while probing for clues within what the man was saying.
"That's why I made this fella."
The man suddenly picked up the gun on display.
PAGE 9
■ Around the rear sight
A rear sight with "white dots" in the same shape as the USP, along with the hammer and control lever also being the same as a genuine one.
■ Slide retracted position
The "compensator" is coupled to the under rail, so the barrel itself is completely free. Even if you pressed the gun barrel against something, the short recoil won't be affected and it can be fired.
■ Right side
The "Ambi" ※ specification not being used is a sign of the times. Only the magazine catch can be operated from both sides.
※ abbreviation of Ambidextrous.
Ambidextrous, a term meaning the parts operated when shooting are "operable on both sides of the gun."
5. SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM A USP
The man reaches out his hand without hesitation toward the SG-09 R on display, and quickly checks the operation of the gun with sophisticated gestures.
"Now this fella... here's why the SG-09 R is one of the best customizations in the world that truly lives up to the SG name."
The man held open the slide and showed it to me. Naturally, it was unloaded.
He quickly put the slide back, grasped the underrail, and held out the grip.
I knew he meant, "Have a feel." But I couldn't help but feel guilty.
I refused to allow myself, a man of common sense and, above all, a scholar, to touch an exhibit.
Nevertheless, the man stuck it out again, as if me touching it was a matter of course.
I gently reached out my hand while looking around. Curiosity made it impossible for me to refuse.
I didn't know what the man was expecting me to touch, or what his intentions were.
No matter how many grandiose the words out of his mouth were, a scholar who's not even familiar with his own gun wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
I was made to realize I was wrong the moment I grasped the grip.
What was now in my hand was indeed "identical but different."
■ Around the rear sight
A rear sight with "white dots" in the same shape as the USP, along with the hammer and control lever also being the same as a genuine one.
■ Slide retracted position
The "compensator" is coupled to the under rail, so the barrel itself is completely free. Even if you pressed the gun barrel against something, the short recoil won't be affected and it can be fired.
■ Right side
The "Ambi" ※ specification not being used is a sign of the times. Only the magazine catch can be operated from both sides.
※ abbreviation of Ambidextrous.
Ambidextrous, a term meaning the parts operated when shooting are "operable on both sides of the gun."
5. SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM A USP
The man reaches out his hand without hesitation toward the SG-09 R on display, and quickly checks the operation of the gun with sophisticated gestures.
"Now this fella... here's why the SG-09 R is one of the best customizations in the world that truly lives up to the SG name."
The man held open the slide and showed it to me. Naturally, it was unloaded.
He quickly put the slide back, grasped the underrail, and held out the grip.
I knew he meant, "Have a feel." But I couldn't help but feel guilty.
I refused to allow myself, a man of common sense and, above all, a scholar, to touch an exhibit.
Nevertheless, the man stuck it out again, as if me touching it was a matter of course.
I gently reached out my hand while looking around. Curiosity made it impossible for me to refuse.
I didn't know what the man was expecting me to touch, or what his intentions were.
No matter how many grandiose the words out of his mouth were, a scholar who's not even familiar with his own gun wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
I was made to realize I was wrong the moment I grasped the grip.
What was now in my hand was indeed "identical but different."
PAGE 10
Its heavy weight rested in my right hand. It felt heavier than my fully loaded USP, even though the magazine was empty.
I held the gun in a standing position with my arm extended horizontally. Immediately, the weight felt like it vanished from my arm.
The balance of the grip and trigger guard, at the base of my thumb, was supported by my middle finger alone which naturally kept the gun's barrel level.
Thanks to this my index finger was completely free for pulling the trigger, and could only be moved for that role.
Have you ever had this feeling when holding your own USP?
Could a custom-made gun really be this different?
I turned my face to the man while holding my posture. The corner of the man's mouth turned up, as if to say, "It's OK, you do whatever you want."
I have no idea if that's what he actually meant. I may have just been trying to justify my desire, but I took it as an affirmation. Turning my face back, I clasped both my hands together then placed my index finger, which had been lying along the frame, on the trigger.
The finger channels, designed to fit a slightly larger hand, were fixed in place while feeling like they were sticking to my hand, even though it felt ill-fitting in my grasp.
My fingers trembled a little from nervousness despite the fact I knew it wasn't loaded.
I squeezed the trigger as if it were a USP with a heavy trigger pull, raising the hammer with only a slight clicking sensation. Applying force caused the hammer to drop with just a little bit of resistance, very similar to what felt like a sliding trigger stroke. The impact of the falling hammer exited straight out the gun's barrel in the direction of the muzzle, so the user feels hardly any shake from the recoil.
I knew that since there was no ammo in the gun, there was barely any shake from the recoil, the ejection of shells, or the collision between slide and ejector, which would normally be present. In my memory however, when shooting an empty USP, the recoil should have a mechanical feel from the spring and lever combo.
It moved surprisingly smoothly, dropping and subsiding like a small bird.
I gave the trigger a second squeeze. The polished metal gave it a sense of weight, but as it started moving, it slid with no friction. The hammer quietly started to drop and, half-cocked, vibrated against my fingers, yet lost none of its smoothness.
As the hammer fell with a seamless action, the trigger regained a lightness that reminded me of the drag it had been sustaining up to then. If I were to use an analogy, this behavior's reminiscent of the sensation of a heavy luxury car driving smoothly without any sound or vibration.
It served as a reminder this was something different after all. Scarcely interested in guns as I am, even I was tempted to test fire live ammo, but I assumed I wouldn't be able to do so in the heavily guarded ceremony hall.
I slid the control lever to safety and returned the gun to the man, who had a satisfied smile on his face.
The man once again checked its operation in his familiar manner, then returned it to its display place as if nothing had happened.
"Mighty nice ain't it? It's an SG that truly lives up to the 60551 number, don't ya think?"
The man uttered with a big smile on his face, as if he could see right through me.
The expression on the man's face left such a strong impression on me that, for some time, every time I remembered it I'd sigh and my emotions would overwhelm my thoughts.
I had intended to ask him about the "unknown organization," but from the moment I grabbed the grip, I'd completely forgotten about it, leaving me feeling a sense of regret.
Its heavy weight rested in my right hand. It felt heavier than my fully loaded USP, even though the magazine was empty.
I held the gun in a standing position with my arm extended horizontally. Immediately, the weight felt like it vanished from my arm.
The balance of the grip and trigger guard, at the base of my thumb, was supported by my middle finger alone which naturally kept the gun's barrel level.
Thanks to this my index finger was completely free for pulling the trigger, and could only be moved for that role.
Have you ever had this feeling when holding your own USP?
Could a custom-made gun really be this different?
I turned my face to the man while holding my posture. The corner of the man's mouth turned up, as if to say, "It's OK, you do whatever you want."
I have no idea if that's what he actually meant. I may have just been trying to justify my desire, but I took it as an affirmation. Turning my face back, I clasped both my hands together then placed my index finger, which had been lying along the frame, on the trigger.
The finger channels, designed to fit a slightly larger hand, were fixed in place while feeling like they were sticking to my hand, even though it felt ill-fitting in my grasp.
My fingers trembled a little from nervousness despite the fact I knew it wasn't loaded.
I squeezed the trigger as if it were a USP with a heavy trigger pull, raising the hammer with only a slight clicking sensation. Applying force caused the hammer to drop with just a little bit of resistance, very similar to what felt like a sliding trigger stroke. The impact of the falling hammer exited straight out the gun's barrel in the direction of the muzzle, so the user feels hardly any shake from the recoil.
I knew that since there was no ammo in the gun, there was barely any shake from the recoil, the ejection of shells, or the collision between slide and ejector, which would normally be present. In my memory however, when shooting an empty USP, the recoil should have a mechanical feel from the spring and lever combo.
It moved surprisingly smoothly, dropping and subsiding like a small bird.
I gave the trigger a second squeeze. The polished metal gave it a sense of weight, but as it started moving, it slid with no friction. The hammer quietly started to drop and, half-cocked, vibrated against my fingers, yet lost none of its smoothness.
As the hammer fell with a seamless action, the trigger regained a lightness that reminded me of the drag it had been sustaining up to then. If I were to use an analogy, this behavior's reminiscent of the sensation of a heavy luxury car driving smoothly without any sound or vibration.
It served as a reminder this was something different after all. Scarcely interested in guns as I am, even I was tempted to test fire live ammo, but I assumed I wouldn't be able to do so in the heavily guarded ceremony hall.
I slid the control lever to safety and returned the gun to the man, who had a satisfied smile on his face.
The man once again checked its operation in his familiar manner, then returned it to its display place as if nothing had happened.
"Mighty nice ain't it? It's an SG that truly lives up to the 60551 number, don't ya think?"
The man uttered with a big smile on his face, as if he could see right through me.
The expression on the man's face left such a strong impression on me that, for some time, every time I remembered it I'd sigh and my emotions would overwhelm my thoughts.
I had intended to ask him about the "unknown organization," but from the moment I grabbed the grip, I'd completely forgotten about it, leaving me feeling a sense of regret.
PAGE 11
■ SAMURAI EDGE
It goes without saying that the Samurai Edge is the official custom handgun which was adopted by S.T.A.R.S.
Even now its popularity hasn't waned and it still shines with a "light of the blade" that mesmerizes people.
■ LIGHTNING HAWK
Twinned with the Samurai Edge, this custom model's based on a "large caliber handgun".
It's an "ultimate weapon" that pursues the destructive power which is indispensable in B.O.W. combat, along with expandability according to the situation.
6. POSING A QUESTION
A couple of days after the DSO's 10th anniversary ceremony came to a close, I was to meet with a writer for a magazine specializing in guns.
It all started when I visited a gun store to have my own USP serviced and posed a question to them.
"By the way, owner, I saw a USP Custom the other day with a "Kendo" printing on it, is that gun really such a masterpiece they call it the "best gun in the world"?"
I was wondering if there was any chance I could find out some fragmentary information about the "unknown organization" from the gun...
That was the extent of the question I had in mind, but I could see the expression on the gun store owner's face change immediately. The excited owner asked me a bunch of questions in rapid succession, and before I knew it, I was scheduled to meet with a writer for a magazine specializing in guns.
The writer of SURVIVE Magazine introduced himself as having some more than slight involvement with Kendo Customs, and after I finished telling him about my first-hand experience at the ceremony venue, the writer asked me to look over back issues of SURVIVE Magazine he'd brought with him, just to exchange information.
It was only then that I came to grasp the significance behind the "Kendo" print.
"I was wondering if you'd be interested in contributing an article to SURVIVE Magazine. You're the only one who could write about it, having spotted the real thing in person."
Unfortunately neither the back issues nor the writer had any knowledge of the "unknown organization."
We may however obtain information out of publishing this magazine... not a bad place to start.
■ SAMURAI EDGE
It goes without saying that the Samurai Edge is the official custom handgun which was adopted by S.T.A.R.S.
Even now its popularity hasn't waned and it still shines with a "light of the blade" that mesmerizes people.
■ LIGHTNING HAWK
Twinned with the Samurai Edge, this custom model's based on a "large caliber handgun".
It's an "ultimate weapon" that pursues the destructive power which is indispensable in B.O.W. combat, along with expandability according to the situation.
6. POSING A QUESTION
A couple of days after the DSO's 10th anniversary ceremony came to a close, I was to meet with a writer for a magazine specializing in guns.
It all started when I visited a gun store to have my own USP serviced and posed a question to them.
"By the way, owner, I saw a USP Custom the other day with a "Kendo" printing on it, is that gun really such a masterpiece they call it the "best gun in the world"?"
I was wondering if there was any chance I could find out some fragmentary information about the "unknown organization" from the gun...
That was the extent of the question I had in mind, but I could see the expression on the gun store owner's face change immediately. The excited owner asked me a bunch of questions in rapid succession, and before I knew it, I was scheduled to meet with a writer for a magazine specializing in guns.
The writer of SURVIVE Magazine introduced himself as having some more than slight involvement with Kendo Customs, and after I finished telling him about my first-hand experience at the ceremony venue, the writer asked me to look over back issues of SURVIVE Magazine he'd brought with him, just to exchange information.
It was only then that I came to grasp the significance behind the "Kendo" print.
"I was wondering if you'd be interested in contributing an article to SURVIVE Magazine. You're the only one who could write about it, having spotted the real thing in person."
Unfortunately neither the back issues nor the writer had any knowledge of the "unknown organization."
We may however obtain information out of publishing this magazine... not a bad place to start.
PAGE 12
After I agreed to pen the article, the writer politely prefaced by saying, "I hope you won't be offended, as I'm not at all skeptical," then continued, "but I have a few questions." Here they are in summary.
(1) Regarding the name "SG-09 R"
The Kendo custom guns known so far have been named differently from the guns they were based on.
For example, the "Samurai Edge" is based on the Beretta M92F, and the "Lightning Hawk" is based on the Desert Eagle .50AE.
The writer also explained "It's not like we can make any arbitrary comparisons or assumptions amid a small number of cases", but Kendo pays special attention to the inscriptions on the guns he customizes and gives them names that fit his customization guidelines.
The man who identified himself as Smith repeatedly referred to his guns as "SG," pronounced as in the alphabet, and I think it certainly seemed as if he had some special feelings for the original SG name as well.
(2) Regarding the "Kendo" printing
The Kendo custom guns known so far are said to have "Custom Kendo Shop" printed on them.
However, no matter how many times I think back, the only thing printed on the right side of the SG-09 R's slide was "Kendo."
Although we can't deny the possibility of the SG-09 R being a counterfeit that only has "Kendo" printed on it, it wouldn't make any sense to manufacture a counterfeit product from a commercial standpoint, and moreover, it's hard to imagine a product displayed at the DSO ceremony would turn out to be a counterfeit product.
If this is the case, what does the different printing from the already known Custom Kendo Shop signify?
(3) Regarding the "numbering" method
The number plate "SG-60551" on the left side of the grip isn't present on the original USP.
If we assume it's the base gun's serial number, we don't know why the prefix number has been replaced by "SG". Although not officially stated, H&K claim the two digits at the start of the serial number have a meaning representing the model of the gun.
For example, the USP 9mm model is "24" and the Mark 23 model is "23" (its name's said to come from this prefix number).
SG's placed here to disguise the serial number assigned by H&K, and paradoxically, it's not the serial number of the base model.
On the other hand, if the "60551" is used to identify individual Kendo Customs, it's too large a number.
Even if "60" is a number for identification purposes, if we consider the remaining "551" as a number allocated to individual custom-made guns, that would mean there are more than 500 of these guns in existence. This isn't a quantity a privately owned custom store could cover.
Also, being practical-minded to the point of naivety, Kendo couldn't have conceived of citing numbers for no reason and using them as decorations.
In the end, we adjourned our meeting with neither of us being able to offer any strong theories to answer these questions.
After I agreed to pen the article, the writer politely prefaced by saying, "I hope you won't be offended, as I'm not at all skeptical," then continued, "but I have a few questions." Here they are in summary.
(1) Regarding the name "SG-09 R"
The Kendo custom guns known so far have been named differently from the guns they were based on.
For example, the "Samurai Edge" is based on the Beretta M92F, and the "Lightning Hawk" is based on the Desert Eagle .50AE.
The writer also explained "It's not like we can make any arbitrary comparisons or assumptions amid a small number of cases", but Kendo pays special attention to the inscriptions on the guns he customizes and gives them names that fit his customization guidelines.
The man who identified himself as Smith repeatedly referred to his guns as "SG," pronounced as in the alphabet, and I think it certainly seemed as if he had some special feelings for the original SG name as well.
(2) Regarding the "Kendo" printing
The Kendo custom guns known so far are said to have "Custom Kendo Shop" printed on them.
However, no matter how many times I think back, the only thing printed on the right side of the SG-09 R's slide was "Kendo."
Although we can't deny the possibility of the SG-09 R being a counterfeit that only has "Kendo" printed on it, it wouldn't make any sense to manufacture a counterfeit product from a commercial standpoint, and moreover, it's hard to imagine a product displayed at the DSO ceremony would turn out to be a counterfeit product.
If this is the case, what does the different printing from the already known Custom Kendo Shop signify?
(3) Regarding the "numbering" method
The number plate "SG-60551" on the left side of the grip isn't present on the original USP.
If we assume it's the base gun's serial number, we don't know why the prefix number has been replaced by "SG". Although not officially stated, H&K claim the two digits at the start of the serial number have a meaning representing the model of the gun.
For example, the USP 9mm model is "24" and the Mark 23 model is "23" (its name's said to come from this prefix number).
SG's placed here to disguise the serial number assigned by H&K, and paradoxically, it's not the serial number of the base model.
On the other hand, if the "60551" is used to identify individual Kendo Customs, it's too large a number.
Even if "60" is a number for identification purposes, if we consider the remaining "551" as a number allocated to individual custom-made guns, that would mean there are more than 500 of these guns in existence. This isn't a quantity a privately owned custom store could cover.
Also, being practical-minded to the point of naivety, Kendo couldn't have conceived of citing numbers for no reason and using them as decorations.
In the end, we adjourned our meeting with neither of us being able to offer any strong theories to answer these questions.
PAGE 13
7. SG-09 R
I had intended to finish my report concerning the SG-09 R at the DSO ceremony, but I decided to add a few more paragraphs, including one at the gun store. The reason for this is that I had an inspiration regarding some of the questions the writer of SURVIVE Magazine had.
It came to me while I was repeatedly checking the recording of that day in order to write the report.
• SG-09 R is an unusual name for a Kendo product
• SG corresponds to the serial number prefix
• The meaning of the 60551 plate
While I was speaking to John Smith directly, I didn't pay much attention to what he was saying.
On top of that I was so eagerly fishing for words related to the "unknown organization" in his remarks, until the moment I held the gun, that I had no way of knowing or comprehending the questions the writer was asking at the time.
However, by listening to my tape recorder again with more awareness of these questions, I was able to catch something amid John Smith's comments.
7. SG-09 R
I had intended to finish my report concerning the SG-09 R at the DSO ceremony, but I decided to add a few more paragraphs, including one at the gun store. The reason for this is that I had an inspiration regarding some of the questions the writer of SURVIVE Magazine had.
It came to me while I was repeatedly checking the recording of that day in order to write the report.
• SG-09 R is an unusual name for a Kendo product
• SG corresponds to the serial number prefix
• The meaning of the 60551 plate
While I was speaking to John Smith directly, I didn't pay much attention to what he was saying.
On top of that I was so eagerly fishing for words related to the "unknown organization" in his remarks, until the moment I held the gun, that I had no way of knowing or comprehending the questions the writer was asking at the time.
However, by listening to my tape recorder again with more awareness of these questions, I was able to catch something amid John Smith's comments.
PAGE 14
"Built to be the best in the world."
"No adjustments should be made without consultation."
"An SG that lives up to the number 60551."
...I knew this story. Rather, I knew there used to be a "best in the world" steeped in such an anecdote. To confirm my vague memory, I did some research. There it was. It's a well-known anecdote, if only one happens to have an interest in the subject. Even the number 60551, which looked to me like a serial number, is a number that's deeply involved with and representative of the spirit itself.
John Smith probably assumed I knew about the anecdote.
When I replayed the recorder again with that assumption, the resolution of John Smith's story sprung up.
Oddly enough, when I picked up the gun, I'd imagined the behavior of a luxury car, which might've been a synaptic connection from a memory lingering in some nook in my mind. In the end, SG is an acronym and the name was intended to be meaningful words similar to Samurai Edge or Lightning Hawk.
And if the name I'm imagining is correct, it feels like a very Kendo-esque naming.
If we believe the story of "naming according to customization guidelines," then we might also be able to see what the guidelines were for customizing this gun. If my hypothesis is correct, then the SG-09 R's a customization with the same approach and philosophy as the SG itself, what it was intended to be.
In other words, instead of adding to or updating its mechanisms, I wonder if the materials and parts might've been thoroughly and exactly machined, with high precision, aiming for harnessing the ideals envisioned at the time the USP was designed. I think the result's a gun that behaves incredibly smoothly, and together with the use of a silver slide, has become a gun that's not only "worthy of a world best's name," but also "worthy of the name SG".
This would also appear to explain why a model of an H&K gun had SG put in the serial number prefix used to indicate it.
This would be an assertion that it's not a USP, but already a different model.
If this is the case, we can assume the thought that went into the SG-09 R must've been very special.
Perhaps the fact the Custom Kendo Shop inscription was now simply "Kendo" meant Kendo personally undertook the customization of the SG-09 R, rather than as the Shop... Is that too much of a leap to imagine?
This is all I have to add. Though the hints scattered throughout the article may be coincidences, it looks as though I've connected the dots. It's still a hypothesis at this stage however, and there's a chance I've simply misunderstood.
So, allow me to make a suggestion, and a wager.
I would like the editor of SURVIVE Magazine to ponder the SG-09 R's true name and how to read SG.
If they figure out the name, they'll mention it on this magazine's cover page once it's published... how about that?
If we come to the same conclusion, I'll be convinced this inspiration's not a delusion of my own imagination, and even if it can't be verified, it might reinforce my hypothesis.
I now put my pen down and look forward to this article's publication. Joey Belladonna
"Built to be the best in the world."
"No adjustments should be made without consultation."
"An SG that lives up to the number 60551."
...I knew this story. Rather, I knew there used to be a "best in the world" steeped in such an anecdote. To confirm my vague memory, I did some research. There it was. It's a well-known anecdote, if only one happens to have an interest in the subject. Even the number 60551, which looked to me like a serial number, is a number that's deeply involved with and representative of the spirit itself.
John Smith probably assumed I knew about the anecdote.
When I replayed the recorder again with that assumption, the resolution of John Smith's story sprung up.
Oddly enough, when I picked up the gun, I'd imagined the behavior of a luxury car, which might've been a synaptic connection from a memory lingering in some nook in my mind. In the end, SG is an acronym and the name was intended to be meaningful words similar to Samurai Edge or Lightning Hawk.
And if the name I'm imagining is correct, it feels like a very Kendo-esque naming.
If we believe the story of "naming according to customization guidelines," then we might also be able to see what the guidelines were for customizing this gun. If my hypothesis is correct, then the SG-09 R's a customization with the same approach and philosophy as the SG itself, what it was intended to be.
In other words, instead of adding to or updating its mechanisms, I wonder if the materials and parts might've been thoroughly and exactly machined, with high precision, aiming for harnessing the ideals envisioned at the time the USP was designed. I think the result's a gun that behaves incredibly smoothly, and together with the use of a silver slide, has become a gun that's not only "worthy of a world best's name," but also "worthy of the name SG".
This would also appear to explain why a model of an H&K gun had SG put in the serial number prefix used to indicate it.
This would be an assertion that it's not a USP, but already a different model.
If this is the case, we can assume the thought that went into the SG-09 R must've been very special.
Perhaps the fact the Custom Kendo Shop inscription was now simply "Kendo" meant Kendo personally undertook the customization of the SG-09 R, rather than as the Shop... Is that too much of a leap to imagine?
This is all I have to add. Though the hints scattered throughout the article may be coincidences, it looks as though I've connected the dots. It's still a hypothesis at this stage however, and there's a chance I've simply misunderstood.
So, allow me to make a suggestion, and a wager.
I would like the editor of SURVIVE Magazine to ponder the SG-09 R's true name and how to read SG.
If they figure out the name, they'll mention it on this magazine's cover page once it's published... how about that?
If we come to the same conclusion, I'll be convinced this inspiration's not a delusion of my own imagination, and even if it can't be verified, it might reinforce my hypothesis.
I now put my pen down and look forward to this article's publication. Joey Belladonna
