Another new member from Washington State

[rickthelibrarian]

I also stumbled on to your forum from another one on the Philippine Scouts. My interest in the Philippines in 1941-42 goes back to my early days in the late 1950s. I remember the movie "Bataan" sparked my interest! I also met or knew several Death March survivors, including Samuel Grashio, who came from my home town. He was one of nine escapees from Davao Penal Colony in early 1943 and later evacuated from the Philippines by submarine.

I wrote several articles on the air war (such as it was) in the Philippines in 1941-42 for several aviation magazines. I'm also interested in weapons and gear of the period. One of the pictures below is the cover of the magazines that printed one of my articles. (Nov. 1987 issue of "Airpower")

The other is the stock of a M1903 Springfield rifle which has "PODD", indicating the stock was on a rifle that was rebuilt or inspected at the Philippine Ordnance Depot. One of my fondest wishes is to locate a M1917, M1903 or M1 that was used on Bataan or Corregidor. I also have both M1917 and M1917A1 helmets.

Glad to find this forum. I look forward to taking part.

[legionnaire]

Welcome to the forum rickthelibrarian! Thank you for joining this forum!

I have that issue of Airpower, showing all the different aircraft in the Philippines. must dig it up in my storage.

Amazing that you have an M1903 which has the POD initials! Great find! Any plans on doing early Pacific Philippine Island US reenactment? ;D

Hope to hear and see more from you again.

Philip

[rickthelibrarian]

If I did reenactment, the Philippines would be it. My wife's reaction to any new hobbies: "Oh pu-leeeze!!" ;D

I should also mention I have a pretty decent collection of Philippine coins from pre-1941 as well as stamps and some guerrilla currency.

[legionnaire]

We need Bataan nurses and maybe you can convince here to represent one. Again another Pinay we have to educate on the sacrifices of American and Filipino veterans.

Do you have some commonwealth paper currency in the collection?

Philip

[26th]

Welcome aboard.

For those rifles you need to know what serial number were issued during that time period and most likely it fought at Bataan.

Then you can locate them with some luck. I have a 1903 that the serial number is only off by 3900 per my fathers memory of his number which no soldier ever forgets. That was in 1923.

Good luck and come on down.
Rudy/26Cav

[rickthelibrarian]

Hi, 26th,

Thanks for the ideas. I wish it was that simple. M1903s and other US military firearms weren't shipped anywhere by serial number. The serial numbers were totally mixed. I did find out that Rock Island Arsenal (who also made Springfield M1903s until 1919) was responsible for sending most M1903s to the west coast and Pacific territories.

I was contacted by a gentleman living in the Philippines who wanted some information on a M1903 he had (I'm very active on several online military firearms forums). I asked if he would consider selling it and he agreed. Unfortunately, US import regulations make importing a former US military firearm by an individual almost impossible.

Here's my collection of U.S. pre-WWI M1903 Springfields.

If anyone ever hears of a M1917, M1 or M1903 with certification, let me know!!!

[legionnaire]

Beautiful collection! Wow!

I got one M1903 from a private owner at a gun show for $500. Badly needed one for our battle of Bataan reenactment.

Philip

[rickthelibrarian]

If you're re-enacting someone from the 57th, 45th Infantry Regiments or the 26th Cavalry, keep in mind they were issued M1 Garand rifles before the war started in 1941. I don't know if that will make your search easier, not not.

[legionnaire]

I should be using an M1 garand but they are soooo ridiculously expensive just for reenactment purposes unless I am filty rich but compared to the price of the beautiful Springfield I got. And the Springfield is easier to handle the bolt system for me.

Philip

[26th]

Hey Philip>
I 'm the old guy. Next time I come down I'll bring the M1 garand for you to use.

Hey Rick> hope that is all right? to long of a handle for me. What I meant was, if you know or we still have members that are alive ask what their serial number was and you have something to go by.

Nice shot of rifles. To many of one kind for one person , so sell them to us "CHEAP" haha.

Can anyone help me in how to post a photo? I am logged into that photo place but not know how to get the photos I put in my album onto this forum. I know you know Philip.

Rudy/26Cav

[rickthelibrarian]

Hi, Rudy,

Records of specific rifles are very hard to find. There is an organization called Springfield Research Service that has engaged in such research for years. It is estimated that they have found about 5-10% of U.S. military firearm serial numbers. Having someone recall their rifle's serial number after 65+ years would be hard. It would be the proverbial needle in a haystack to find it. As I recall correctly, one WWII vet did find his M1 Garand - it rated a major news story!

Posting pictures: Most forums require you to have a online web hosting service. I use Fototime but there are many others - some free, some not. You upload your pictures to the photo hosting site and then get a web address for the picture. You click on the little symbol of the picture and copy and paste the web address. It sounds harder than it really is -if **I** can do it, anyone can!!

Regarding the selling of my low numbered M1903s: "...only from my cold, dead hands..."

[26th]

Hey Rick

Well just a thought about you selling those extra ones to the Chapter Cheap>haha

My 03's number is 992982 and barrel 9-18, excellent condition and I shoot the heck out of it when I can. I have an original canvas case for it which drew attention from the shooting masters when I first showed up with it.

Philip sent me info on how to do posting so maybe I can master it soon. Happy New Years.

Rudy/26cav

[texian13cav]

RE: Springfield vs. Garand for Bataan ... Tio Bado - Cpl. Baldomero Martinez 45 TH Inf P.S. U.S Army ( Former 2 ND Lt P.A.) Once told me that upon resigning his commision to join the Scouts, he was issued a 03 Springfield, which he quickly traded to a Cano for a Garand ( the Cano didn't trust the "new fangled" M1 ) He said they used to play a trick on the japs - they would each fire together 5 rounds, timed slowly, to seem to be armed with the 03. The japs would charge ( thinking they would be reloading ) and then they would let them have it.

[rickthelibrarian]

Although my favorite US military rifle by a long shot is the M1903 Springfield, I use an M1 Garand, #335652, when I go to the range. The receiver was made in August, 1941 and the barrel, four months before I was born, in 1949.