Post by rickthelibrarian on Feb 17, 2009 18:21:29 GMT -5
As some of you know, U.S. Army weapons between WWI and WWII were often sent to the Philippine Ordnance Depot (located in Fort Santiago in Manila, I believe) for repair, inspection and overhaul. Stocks on M1903 Springfield-type rifles were stamped with a "POD" for "Philippine Ordnance Depot" and usually another "D", which probably was the initial of the individual inspector.
Lacking the apparent ability to find a Philippine M1903, I've bought a POD stock, now and again. I found this one on a WWI-era Springfield. It has, besides the POD stamp, two BA-WL stamps, which indicate the rifle was shipped out from Benecia Arsenal, in California. The stock has an "RI" on the foretip, which means it was manufactured originally as a WWI-era stock by Rock Island. I've found that a large percentage of the M1903s sent to Hawaii and the Philippines were Rock Island M1903s.
I mounted the stock on a low-numbered Rock Island M1903. Although not technically correct, it'll have to do until I find a correct WWI era Rock Island M1903 (This one was manufactured in 1912). Note some tiger-striping on the handguard. (I've been trying to convince a certain well-traveled member of our band that he NEEDS to buy my other POD stock and M1903 rifle!
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Thought you'd like some pictures:
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Now if any of you guys come across a REAL Philippine M1903 with provenance, you can come over to my place, I'll open my gun safe and you can take your pick!! ;D
Lacking the apparent ability to find a Philippine M1903, I've bought a POD stock, now and again. I found this one on a WWI-era Springfield. It has, besides the POD stamp, two BA-WL stamps, which indicate the rifle was shipped out from Benecia Arsenal, in California. The stock has an "RI" on the foretip, which means it was manufactured originally as a WWI-era stock by Rock Island. I've found that a large percentage of the M1903s sent to Hawaii and the Philippines were Rock Island M1903s.
I mounted the stock on a low-numbered Rock Island M1903. Although not technically correct, it'll have to do until I find a correct WWI era Rock Island M1903 (This one was manufactured in 1912). Note some tiger-striping on the handguard. (I've been trying to convince a certain well-traveled member of our band that he NEEDS to buy my other POD stock and M1903 rifle!
)Thought you'd like some pictures:
Now if any of you guys come across a REAL Philippine M1903 with provenance, you can come over to my place, I'll open my gun safe and you can take your pick!! ;D
