Norm Saunders was a prolific and talented mid-century illustrator. I don't know the really story behind this illo he did for a men's adventure magazine, but it's more fun to make up something anyway. Share your story in the comments!
Norman Saunders (1907–1989) - commercial artist who produced paintings for pulp magazines, paperbacks, men's adventure magazines, comic and sci-fi books. Norman was the legendary illustrator of Mars Attacks, Wacky Packages, Batman, Pre-Code Comics.
UPDATE: A Boing Boing reader incorporated the illustration into this informational poster.