Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Gun Lover/Archive

Suspected sockpuppets
Similar behaviour across the two. In particular, since coming out of their block, Guns & Glory's contributions have been locked almost entirely on Talk:AS Val and VSS Vintorez, and as of around 2 weeks ago, FAMAS. On the former article, the IP (which has no other contributions) was used to support a move requested by the account, and on the latter, duplicating edits after they were reverted on the account:

  

One point that I think brings this into WP:DUCK territory is the IP's comment "I may be new to editing on Wikipedia but it doesn’t mean I don’t know anything about firearms" (my emphasis). This is a comment that appears to be a habitual phrase used by the account:





(this one even occurring during the same discussion) Loafiewa (talk) 12:00, 23 June 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * Blocked Guns & Glory indefinitely without tags, and blocked IP for one week. Closing. Bbb23 (talk) 12:52, 23 June 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets

 * ( original case name)

Brand new account, made only a few days after the sockmaster was banned. Major overlap in interests, as viewing the page history shows that M240 machine gun and IWI Tavor were both edited extensively by the sockmaster.

The point that brings this into duck territory for me is the fact that this brand new account is being used to support the RM originally made by the sockmaster, which is also what the previous sock account User:WinchesterUK was created for the purpose of doing. Loafiewa (talk) 14:37, 26 June 2023 (UTC)
 * And another piece of evidence, JTC22 has now edited the FAMAS article so it contains the spelling FA-MAS, as did previous socks  and the original account . Loafiewa (talk) 15:25, 9 July 2023 (UTC)

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 * It is fairly obvious that Guns & Glory is JTC22 based on behavioral idiosyncracy. They have both requested moves at AS Val and VSS Vintorez based on the... order of the tittle.
 * Guns & Glory : This new proposed tittle does not conflict common name since it mentions the "Vintorez and Val".
 * JTC22 : VSS Vintorez and AS Val was the tittle given by
 * &#123;&#123;replyto&#124;SilverLocust&#125;&#125; (talk) 09:24, 24 July 2023 (UTC)
 * I recently moved the SVD (rifle) to a new name Kalashnikov Concern SVD. An RM discussion is currently on going. I read through previous RM discussions of the SVD, where the VSS Vintorez and AS Val article was mentioned, which was merged by user KnowledgeableHrvatica (talk). Direct quote taken from the user, "If they were to be merged, regardless, VSS Vintorez should be the one to take priority, as that rifle was developed initially, however since similar mechanisms doesn't seem to be the precedent on Wikipedia."
 * Guns & Glory then carelessly moved the page to AS Val and VSS Vintorez then to VSS and AS, without going through RM discussion.
 * I am simply reverting back to the tittle given by user KnowledgeableHrvatica. Which was not contested. JTC22 (talk) 10:10, 24 July 2023 (UTC)
 * I have no further comment. Dear Admin: SOCKERR SIM IDART per my comment above. &#123;&#123;replyto&#124;SilverLocust&#125;&#125; (talk) 10:51, 24 July 2023 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * to - Similar geolocation, but different ranges and device model. . Dreamy Jazz talk to me &#124; my contributions 23:10, 27 June 2023 (UTC)
 * I think there's enough for a block here. Haven't looked at the technical, but the behaviour is close enough and the CU finding above doesn't exclude. as suspected. Closing. TonyBallioni (talk) 23:35, 29 July 2023 (UTC)
 * I rechecked on appeal. JTC22 is ✅ to Guns & Glory. Will update tags. TonyBallioni (talk) 02:11, 30 July 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Similar name to original account, restoring sockpuppet edits only 2 days after the last sock was banned. 

Other pieces of prior evidence include moving pages without discussion, SHOUTING in edit summaries in a way that seems to indicate WP:OWN behaviour:

,, ,

Additionally, specific article overlap includes AS Val and VSS Vintorez, SR-3 Vikhr, FB MSBS Grot, Beretta Cx4 Storm and PKP Pecheneg machine gun, relatively obscure articles that get very few edits, typically no more than 2-3 total users since the beginning of this year. Loafiewa (talk) 05:56, 1 August 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * ...  ~Oshwah~  (talk) (contribs)   00:21, 2 August 2023 (UTC)
 * ✅ to :
 * Also found and ✅:
 * All accounts will be blocked and tagged, and this SPI report can be closed.  ~Oshwah~  (talk) (contribs)   00:26, 2 August 2023 (UTC)
 * All accounts will be blocked and tagged, and this SPI report can be closed.  ~Oshwah~  (talk) (contribs)   00:26, 2 August 2023 (UTC)
 * All accounts will be blocked and tagged, and this SPI report can be closed.  ~Oshwah~  (talk) (contribs)   00:26, 2 August 2023 (UTC)

I note that the GunLover account is several years older than Guns & Glory; was there a name change or something or should this be SPI be renamed? --jpgordon&#x1d122;&#x1d106;&#x1D110;&#x1d107; 00:47, 2 August 2023 (UTC)
 * moved and retagged. TonyBallioni (talk) 05:18, 2 August 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
The two accounts have 100% article overlap, every article that this user has edited is one that has also been edited by a previous sock, including several obscure ones that get very few edits over the course of a year - Kalashnikov Concern AMB-17 stands out as it has only received one edit in total by anyone else since November 2022.

In this diff, they cite a primary source, which on its own is unremarkable, but it is something that previous socks did extensively, the RM they opened on Talk:AS Val and VSS Vintorez showed that they use primary sources almost exclusively, and across their other edits (including the ones posted below), they show a clear preference for primary sources over secondary ones.

In this diff,, they edit the ROF figure used in the infobox, something previous socks also did frequently:   Loafiewa (talk) 02:32, 18 August 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * , . GeneralNotability (talk) 02:40, 18 August 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Only two edits, one of which is restoring a previous sockpuppet edit: 

The other of which is requesting another editor to essentially engage in meatpuppetry on AS Val and VSS Vintorez, a page that this sock habitually comes back to, the specific request for a page split is also something they have advocated for before  Loafiewa (talk) 18:19, 23 August 2023 (UTC)
 * And with this diff, they are directly admitting to editing under a previous IP which is still blocked for sockpuppetry. Loafiewa (talk) 00:27, 24 August 2023 (UTC)

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * Ducky; blocked for a week, come back if they reappear.  Girth Summit  (blether)  09:01, 24 August 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Another WP:DUCK, manually restoring sockpuppet edits and attempting to split AS Val and VSS Vintorez, as did yesterday's IP  Loafiewa (talk) 12:12, 24 August 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users

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No need to investigate. This is Guns & Glory. I only wanted to help expand articles, correct outdated/incorrect information. This whole issue started when my main account, Guns & Glory got blocked during my RM request on the AS Val and VSS Vintorez article. I was on holidays at that time and I couldn't access my account. I had the smart idea to leave a comment as an unregistered user to support my own move. Which was dumb, and I take full accountability for that. Then I made other accounts to edit other articles that needs improving. I didn't realise that leaving that unregistered comment could lead to a ban. When I received the indefinite ban I thought it meant that I could no longer edit for good. I should of just explained it rather then creating all these other accounts. I'm sorry. — Preceding unsigned comment added by LoafingCat (talk • contribs) 13:57, 24 August 2023 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * Self-admitted - blocked and tagged, I will head over and suggest the WP:SO.  Girth Summit  (blether)  14:01, 24 August 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
The first IP only has one edit to date, on the article SR-3 Vikhr, another example of an obscure article that gets very few edits. The diff in question is changing the rate of fire statistic in the infobox, something this sock has focused on previously. The main point that makes me quite certain that this is sockpuppetry is the fact that this IP is based out of the Philippines, the same country as the other 2 IPs listed in the SPI. Loafiewa (talk) 16:40, 22 September 2023 (UTC)
 * The second IP seems to definitely fall under DUCK territory. Similar obscure articles that this user has focused on in the past, similar focus on ROF numbers, and this diff shows them duplicating the prose of a previous sock edit:

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * Blocked IP49 and the /64 for one month. Firefangledfeathers (talk / contribs) 02:23, 25 September 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Another Philippines IP, restoring content on the same article as the previous IPs Loafiewa (talk) 01:20, 1 October 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * Yep., closing. Firefangledfeathers (talk / contribs) 01:26, 1 October 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
New account, returning to pages previously targeted by socks. Latest diff adding speech marks on PP-19-01 Vityaz brings it into obvious duck territory: Loafiewa (talk) 07:10, 18 October 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * : CM38 blocked as an obvious sock. Leaving this to a clerk/CU to decide if a check should be run. At least one check in the archive turned up an unreported sock. Firefangledfeathers (talk / contribs) 12:16, 18 October 2023 (UTC)
 * Geolocation is a match for this master; CM38 also ✅ to:
 * Blocking, tagging etc. Girth Summit  (blether)  18:15, 18 October 2023 (UTC)
 * Blocking, tagging etc. Girth Summit  (blether)  18:15, 18 October 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Probable sock - account made today (after the last socks were blocked), making an edit request on a page that has been semi-protected specifically due to sockpuppetry from this user. Loafiewa (talk) 19:22, 18 October 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * There's only a single edit to go on, but based on the available evidence I'd suggest that is ❌. However,  is ✅ to  - blocking that account, closing; if Bigtimb shows any more signs of being related to this case feel free to come back.  Girth Summit  (blether)  09:29, 19 October 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Brand new account, making the same edit on the same page as previous socks Loafiewa  (talk) 22:29, 19 October 2023 (UTC)

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * ✅. Will apply some protection to that article.  Girth Summit  (blether)  10:21, 20 October 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Another Philippines IP, editing articles previously targeted by this user. Loafiewa (talk) 16:19, 21 October 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users
No need to go through the investigation. Yes, it was me. I was trying to fix clear errors that these articles have. Yes, I have been blocked from editing on Wikipedia, because of what I've done on the AS Val and VSS Vintorez move request. As explained a few months ago, I was on holidays and I've forgotten my login credentials, so I made a smart as comment under an IP address (no account created) to support my claim. Back then I had no idea what sock puppetry is or how to get my Guns & Glory account unblocked. Since I had no access to that account I was not aware that I got reported by Loafiewa. Plus, I didn't know that it wasn't allowed to begin with. Although, I do take the blame for not reading about such rules to begin with. Then I made new accounts so I can continue editing, because I enjoy editing on Wikipedia. As far as I'm aware I have not made any contributions that are blatant vandalism. All my contributions were helpful and useful. Take the most recent one, on the M249 page. Ref: Talon970801 clearly does not mention the machine gun, so I replaced it with this ref: FM 3-22.68. Other contributions that were reverted by Loafiewa were all made to improve Wikipedia, and not to vandialise it. 6 months seems too far to wait, and this could all have been avoided if Loafiewa just gave me a heads up about multiple accounts. But yeah I've learned my mistakes, all I'm asking is to review the edits I've made that were reverted back by Loafiewa, and see if they are helpful or not. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2001:4454:20F:FF00:A557:56FF:6E0F:48F2 (talk) 16:06, 22 October 2023 (UTC)
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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * /64 blocked. Admitted sockpuppet. Firefangledfeathers (talk / contribs) 16:17, 22 October 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Another Philippines IP, same MO. Loafiewa (talk) 16:43, 22 October 2023 (UTC)

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * Blocked. Page protected. Closing. Firefangledfeathers (talk / contribs) 16:46, 22 October 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Another duck, new account, editing previously targeted articles to change the ROF. Loafiewa (talk) 12:51, 28 October 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * ; in combination with the behavioral overlap, it passes the WP:DUCK test for me. During the course of my check, I also found, which is ✅ to past socks. Mz7 (talk) 02:58, 5 November 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Another sock restoring previous edits to ROF. Loafiewa (talk) 01:27, 11 November 2023 (UTC)

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 01:51, 11 November 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Probable sock, as it's another Philippines IP targeting IWI Negev, a previous target for this sock, most significantly only a few hours after another user manually removed a lot of the sock's previous edits. Loafiewa (talk) 02:06, 12 November 2023 (UTC)

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 02:37, 12 November 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Another WP:DUCK, a new account duplicating edits from a previous sock. Also a connection in username, as another one of his previous socks claimed to be a Ukrainian war veteran on his userpage.

 Loafiewa (talk) 21:55, 15 November 2023 (UTC)

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * . Blocked and tagged. Leaving this for a CU. The last check was fruitful. Firefangledfeathers (talk / contribs) 22:03, 15 November 2023 (UTC)
 * CU doesn't throw up any other accounts, closing.  Girth Summit  (blether)  08:09, 17 November 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
New account, restoring sock edits. Loafiewa (talk) 14:12, 21 November 2023 (UTC)

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 * ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 14:17, 21 November 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Another sock, duplicating previous edits, note specifically the repeating of adding a bullet point to the infobox, and adding the "Magpul Masada" section subheading.

 Loafiewa (talk) 01:17, 26 November 2023 (UTC)

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 01:21, 26 November 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Philippines IP, changing ROF, editing previously targeted article. Loafiewa (talk) 18:03, 28 November 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2023/03/19/beretta-mx4-storm/ per ref, secondary source says it fires at 950 rpm — Preceding unsigned comment added by 49.145.79.249 (talk) 18:07, 28 November 2023 (UTC)
 * It doesn't matter, and it's just a blog anyway. Drmies (talk) 18:15, 28 November 2023 (UTC)
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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * Range blocked. Drmies (talk) 18:15, 28 November 2023 (UTC)
 * To clarify, Drmies blocked the single IP for 31h and Special:contributions/49.145.64.0/20 for 3 months. Closing.--Bbb23 (talk) 13:59, 29 November 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
These editors appear to be continuing a crusade of confirmed sock User:Guns & Glory to reclassify the XM7 rifle as a battle rifle rather than an assault rifle. Schierbecker (talk) 03:20, 12 December 2023 (UTC)


 * There are maybe a half dozen or so other editors that match the MO of Guns & Glory. They may be stale? CU clerk, please, what is the time limit for CheckUser? Schierbecker (talk) 05:36, 12 December 2023 (UTC)


 * G16E-GTS H Turbo may *not* be a sock, or at least not one of Gun Lover's. They seem to be coming from the angle that "Assault" rifle is a misnomer. GL at least seems to believe in the existence of assault rifles. Schierbecker (talk) 06:00, 12 December 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * I think Godofgames122 is definitely worth checking, as a recently created account that nearly exclusively has focused on the XM7 article. They have mainly focused on the assault/battle issue, and their use of YouTube as a source is very GL-ish. G16E-GTS H Turbo is probably worth checking, but their SPA activity has been focused just on removing "assault"; not a lot to go on. I wonder if there's enough evidence for a check on Weej or Arc, both of which are older accounts. Arc has a wider range of interests, and Weej has been around since 2006 (with few edits). Firefangledfeathers (talk / contribs) 04:41, 12 December 2023 (UTC)
 * I am a miss on the lot. Turbo and God are stale and the others don't look similar to historicals much less each other. The page could perhaps stand a semi if it is a particular target... for this lower than average quality set of edits, even ignoring the presence of this particular sockmaster. Izno (talk) 03:18, 13 December 2023 (UTC)
 * No action needed. If the accounts start editing again, we'll get more evidence either way. Firefangledfeathers (talk / contribs) 22:26, 28 December 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets


Restoring edits of their previous sock, User:Xyz123pop23 - adding the ROF to infobox, and adding the description of it as integrally suppressed in the opening sentence match the previous sock's preferred version. Loafiewa (talk) 05:31, 31 January 2024 (UTC)

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * They're operating out of the same IP range that Xyz123pop23 was using. Coupled with rocking up at the same article that Xyz123pop23 had been editing and reinstating the same stuff, I'm blocking.  Girth Summit  (blether)  10:01, 1 February 2024 (UTC)