Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Episode: Danger with Grainger: The Wandering Weapon Case (EP4886)
Host: Adam Graham
Date: January 12, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio" presents a classic detective mystery, "The Wandering Weapon Case," featuring the private eye Steve Granger. The story revolves around a murder in New York, a Western gun collection gone astray, cross-country intrigue, and the unraveling of a criminal plot. Host Adam Graham provides brief commentary, engaging listeners with insight and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Setup: An Innocent Hobby Turns Deadly

• [02:40 – 04:44]
  • Annette Sanford asks Steve Granger to check on her husband’s firearms collection, handing over several pieces, including a .25 caliber Belgian Browning.
  • Granger makes a discreet call, hinting at ulterior motives for taking possession of the gun.
  • Notable quote:
    • Steve Granger: "This is Steve Granger, private detective, with a story about a little gun that made a trip from California to New York where it committed murder and set off as fancy a frame a roll as I've ever seen." ([03:51])

2. The Crime: A Murder and a Set-Up

• [04:44 – 07:11]
  • Annette seeks Granger’s help: her husband Charles Sanford has been arrested for murder—his gun was found at the crime scene.
  • Police Lieutenant Jake Rankin is convinced of Sanford's guilt, emphasizing circumstantial evidence: Sanford’s own registered firearm found at the murder site.
  • Memorable exchange:
    • Lieutenant Rankin: "And the number on this Browning automatic I'm holding in my hand is 476-816."
    • Sanford: "You mean that's my gun?" ([06:44])

3. Investigation Developments & Red Herrings

• [07:11 – 13:37]
  • Granger explores alternatives, questioning the likelihood of Sanford's guilt, particularly the plausibility of his behavior post-murder.
  • Annette reveals she gave Sanford’s guns to pilot Max Carey to be cleaned.
  • Police can’t locate Carey, who may hold the key to the case.
  • Granger tracks Carey’s movements, confirming his alibi with flight logs and proposes police search his California apartment.

4. Detective Footwork: Clues and Suspects

• [13:37 – 21:29]
  • Granger shares the case with newspaperman Cal Hendricks, nicknamed “Stevie boy,” who dubs it “the case of the wandering weapon.”
  • Confirmation comes from police—Carey’s apartment was robbed, the murder weapon and some clothes taken.
  • Granger continues to interview relevant parties, focusing suspicion on Brian Talbot, Carey's roommate, after seeing Talbot behave suspiciously and visit the victim’s residence.

5. Breakthrough: The Criminal Connection

• [19:22 – 22:41]
  • Granger discovers letters linking victim Nina Prince to Carey and Talbot, indicating blackmail and narcotics smuggling.
  • Granger confronts Sanford and gets him to admit to business dealings with Carey and Talbot—he’d pulled out when he discovered their illegal activity.

6. Climax: The Real Culprits

• [22:41 – 23:05]
  • Granger uncovers narcotics hidden in an oatmeal box in the pilots’ apartment.
  • Overhears Talbot and Carey arguing, confirming their guilt (Talbot killed Nina Prince to cover their tracks).
  • Granger subdues both and calls police to have Talbot charged with murder and Carey with smuggling.
  • Notable quote:
    • Cal Hendricks: "Dope is right. I got a story out of Sanford in my last talk with him. He'd been in on a deal with the other two. Smuggling narcotics. ... Then he pulled out, threatened to expose them. So they killed Nina Prince, who knew about it too, had been blackmailing them, framed Sanford for the killing." ([23:54 – 24:20])

7. Resolution and Final Commentary

• [23:40 – 24:58]
  • Sanford is cleared. Granger gives the “full dope” (story) to Hendricks, including the clincher that the ring had smuggled narcotics “hidden in the hub of a propeller.”
  • Lighthearted banter between Granger and Hendricks closes the detective story segment.

Host’s Commentary and Listener Feedback

Adam Graham’s Reflections

• [25:29 – 28:10]
  • Adam Graham expresses his general dislike for Lieutenant Jake Rankin’s methods, especially his resistance to evidence and sarcasm toward Granger's input.
  • Quote:
    • "I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of Jake Rankin, even on the best of days. … What exactly does Rankin think Granger's business is? Stop looking out for the interests of your clients and just mind your own business." ([25:29])

Listener Feedback & Community Notes

• Listeners comment on previous cases and Granger's style, notably referencing a lingering tune from an old case and appreciation for the show as a nighttime comfort.
• Adam thanks longtime Patreon supporters, showing continued engagement with the podcast community.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On the implausibility of Sanford’s guilt:
  • Steve Granger: "Why would Sanford walk back to the scene of the crime just after the killing? Why would he show you the gun permit?" ([08:11])
• On smuggling and framing:
  • Cal Hendricks: "Dope is right...They'd frame a charter flight to Mexico, pick up a load and bring it back." ([24:09])
  • "They'd frame Sanford for the killing." ([24:16])
• The hidden method:
  • Granger: "You know how they've been bringing the dope in—hidden in the hub of a propeller. That's a new one." ([24:24])

Episode Structure & Flow

• The episode briskly moves from the murder's aftermath, through a series of interviews and investigative steps, to Granger’s unmasking of a drug ring hiding behind aviation work.
• The language is characteristic hard-boiled detective: witty, skeptical, and laced with sharp retorts between Granger and both allies and adversaries.
• Host Adam Graham maintains a conversational tone in his commentary, balancing appreciation for the drama with light critique and audience interaction.

Important Segment Timestamps

• 02:40: Case introduction and handoff of the gun collection
• 04:44: Annette’s plea for help; outline of Sanford’s predicament
• 08:07: Granger’s first encounter with Lt. Rankin
• 12:09: Interview and alibi check with Max Carey
• 13:57: Granger and newspaperman discuss the case
• 15:03: Discovery of the apartment break-in
• 16:19: Mysterious tip leads to dangerous hotel visit
• 19:22: Talbot's suspicious behavior and further trailing
• 20:29: Discovery of letters linking victim and suspects
• 22:41: Confrontation and uncovering of narcotics
• 23:40: Case wrap-up and conclusion
• 25:29: Host’s commentary
• 28:10: Preview for next episode

Final Thoughts

This episode encapsulates the appeal of golden age radio detective stories—complicated mysteries, sharp dialogue, cross-country intrigue, and the triumph of the clever gumshoe. Granger’s work methodically picks apart a convincingly tight setup, with a memorable cast of supporting characters and a twist-centric plot. Host Adam Graham’s wrap-up adds warmth and continuity for regular listeners, making the episode a strong entry in the serialized return of "Danger with Grainger."