Was my M1903 used in WW2?

[crazy_frank]

First off, I am sorry if this has been brought up before, but;

I inherited a springflield m1903 from my grandfather. He was in the pacific theater (Army 96th infantry) in ww2. He fought in Leyte, and Okinawa. How can I find out if this rifle was used by him in the war? Is there a serial # check system to say if the # was issued in combat? Also, any proofs that would indicate issue? BTW it is a barreled action only, and sat in his attic for many many years. The serial #indicates ~1919 manuf. date. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[19K]

First off, I am sorry if this has been brought up before, but;

I inherited a springflield m1903 from my grandfather. He was in the pacific theater (Army 96th infantry) in ww2. He fought in Leyte, and Okinawa. How can I find out if this rifle was used by him in the war? Is there a serial # check system to say if the # was issued in combat? Also, any proofs that would indicate issue? BTW it is a barreled action only, and sat in his attic for many many years. The serial #indicates ~1919 manuf. date. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

probably not by him, and as far as I know, there isn't a system to check. what would make you think he carried it?

[Crunch130]

What does it say on the barrel?

And no, I'm not aware of any records to determine where, or even what branch of service, a service rifle the US military had during WWII spent its time.

Crunch

[19K]

and if he was in those two campaigns, he probably had an m1 garand, as it was late in the war

[kurac]

is there any paperwork from that period that shows he was issued that particular rifle, maybe a picture of him holding it. I think those are your best bets.

[Jeff L]

^This.

[crazy_frank]

probably not by him, and as far as I know, there isn't a system to check. what would make you think he carried it?

Well he brought back a lot of stuff from the war including a Japanese officers sword, his mess kit, etc, etc. correct me if I am wrong, wasn't it pretty common for guys to bring back their weapons? This being taken into consideration, he was very anti war for the rest if his life. This also leads me to believe "why would he then go buy a rifle?", and what is the coincidence that it would be a military rifle? From what I've read using the CGN search tool, I've found threads that included info on how officers (Grandpa was a Sgt) would pick up rifles to supplement their sidearms. AND that the 1903 held extremely high regard in respects to dependability.

Would the fact that I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want it to be His rifle help my case?

[crazy_frank]

What does it say on the barrel?

And no, I'm not aware of any records to determine where, or even what branch of service, a service rifle the US military had during WWII spent its time.

Crunch

So the barrel has been sanded (I guess he was trying to smith it and make it a sporter ? IDK). It is only the barreled action, but complete barreled action nonetheless. The barrel says "SA 10-19" and has the flaming bomb (American arsenal marking for military service?) although it has been sanded I can still make it out.

There are various proofing a on the action itself as well. Maybe he removed the stock to get it back to the states?

[crazy_frank]

is there any paperwork from that period that shows he was issued that particular rifle, maybe a picture of him holding it. I think those are your best bets.

Unfortunately, all the pics I have include no rifles. I suppose I could squeeze the website dedicated to the 96th and see if there are any pics of him on there, or if anyone out there may have a pic with rifle included with other groups of guys. I agree, a pic would be ideal. I can pour through the letters, but I think they include more personal correspondence.

[crazy_frank]

and if he was in those two campaigns, he probably had an m1 garand, as it was late in the war

I've read that there was a lot of resistance to the switch for many in the service, given the proven reliability of the 1903. More resistance to switch from 1903 to m1 garand than the resistance from M14 to M16. (Just what I've read, I'm by no means an expert)

I've also read that the rear echelons were often equipped with 1903s as they wanted the garands up front. From what I've been told he was more on the "clean up crew" than up front. Does that mean he was rear echelon? IDK

[crazy_frank]

^This.

Yes, definately!!!

[Enfield47]

When you say he sanded it, is there any bluing or park left on the barrel or receiver, or is it bare metal in the white? I guess it's possible he brought it back but more likely that he picked it up post war when they were a dime a dozen. If its in decent shape and safe to fire, you could get a new manufacture or original stock for it and give it new life. If its unsafe, you can always make a nice wall hanger out of it.

Post a pic of it.

[highpower]

The US military most certainly DID NOT allow individual soldiers to take home their service weapons. That is not to say that there weren't a few that got 'lost' and made it home in someones duffle bag, but they were blatantly being stolen at that point.

Time has a way of blurring a persons memory and nowadays the only sure way to prove a particular item came back from 'over there' is if it has the original capture papers and that is only good for enemy weapons and not US issues items.

The only real combat use of 1903 rifles was early in the war. They were in use in the Philippines when the war started and it is very likely that he could have found it there. As to whether he was using it in combat, what would you rather have, a semi auto eight shot rifle, or a five shot bolt action?

I have a 1903 that I know was in the Philippines before the war as it has a Philippine Ordnance Depot cartouche over a Benicia Arsenal rebuild stamp. The POD was shut down just before the Japanese overran Manila and was never reopened after the war, so it is definitely a prewar rebuild mark. I cannot prove that it was there when the war started or how it may have made it back to the US, as the government didn't tend to keep those records. What I can say is that it shows use and has no part on it that I can date later than 1919.

Here is a picture of the arsenal stamps on my '03. The top is POD-D and the bottom is BA-W

[crazy_frank]

When you say he sanded it, is there any bluing or park left on the barrel or receiver, or is it bare metal in the white? I guess it's possible he brought it back but more likely that he picked it up post war when they were a dime a dozen. If its in decent shape and safe to fire, you could get a new manufacture or original stock for it and give it new life. If its unsafe, you can always make a nice wall hanger out of it.

Post a pic of it.

Rifle

[crazy_frank]

When you say he sanded it, is there any bluing or park left on the barrel or receiver, or is it bare metal in the white? I guess it's possible he brought it back but more likely that he picked it up post war when they were a dime a dozen. If its in decent shape and safe to fire, you could get a new manufacture or original stock for it and give it new life. If its unsafe, you can always make a nice wall hanger out of it.

Post a pic of it.

Sanded vs blued