Post by rickthelibrarian on Jul 28, 2008 8:20:26 GMT -5
I promised VeeVee I would post something about the interesting stock I have on one of my low numbered M1903s. The stock has a "POD-D" stamp on the left side of the stock above the trigger guard. POD was an inspection/rebuild stamp for the Philippine Ordnance Depot.
Although I haven't been able to find out for sure, there was a "Manila Ordnance Depot" founded about the time of the Philippine Insurrection. This was probably succeeded by the Philippine Ordnance Depot. I have not been able to find out where either was located.
At this depot, military weapons of all types were stored, repaired, inspected and issued out to the various units. This prevented the necessity of sending weapons back to one of the arsenals in the States - a long process.
Other outlying U.S. possessions had their own depots - Hawaii (HOD) and Panama (PaOD). The latter is often mistaken for a Philippine Ordnance Depot stamp, but the small "a" gives it away. The POD stocks I have seen usually have a "D" after the "POD". This may be the initial of the inspector. POD stocks often have a BA-WL stamp, as well, which stands for Benecia Arsenal in California. Benecia, was apparently the entry/departure point for rifles and other weapons sent to and received from the Philippines.
This stock is an earlier type, having the grasping grooves and also the "straight edge" left side which was seen on M1903 stocks before about 1910 or so. The grasping grooves were seen on M1903s before WWII. The stock is also stamped with a large "S", denoting that the stock was originally made for a Rock Island M1903. Rock Island Arsenal manufactured M1903 rifles until about 1919. A large number of Rock Island M1903s were sent to the Pacific possessions because the arsenal was considerably closer to Pacific points of departure than the main arsenal at Springfield.
I had a much nicer example of a POD stock, but I (unfortunately) sold it, for reasons that escape me at the minute!!
The stock is mounted on a low numbered Rock Island M1903. Unfortunately, it is not the original rifle the stock was used. However, it is representative of a rifle that MIGHT have used the stock. It is RIA #49911, made about 1904 and rebuilt just after WWI. It has a WWI Rock Island barrel and other WWI and post-WWI parts.
Now, if anyone ever locates an ORIGINAL rifle with a POD stamp, they are welcome to trade it to me for ANYTHING I have!!! ;D
Anyone still awake? Seriously, if anyone has information on the likely location of the Philippine Ordnance Depot, or its' history, please let me know.
Although I haven't been able to find out for sure, there was a "Manila Ordnance Depot" founded about the time of the Philippine Insurrection. This was probably succeeded by the Philippine Ordnance Depot. I have not been able to find out where either was located.
At this depot, military weapons of all types were stored, repaired, inspected and issued out to the various units. This prevented the necessity of sending weapons back to one of the arsenals in the States - a long process.
Other outlying U.S. possessions had their own depots - Hawaii (HOD) and Panama (PaOD). The latter is often mistaken for a Philippine Ordnance Depot stamp, but the small "a" gives it away. The POD stocks I have seen usually have a "D" after the "POD". This may be the initial of the inspector. POD stocks often have a BA-WL stamp, as well, which stands for Benecia Arsenal in California. Benecia, was apparently the entry/departure point for rifles and other weapons sent to and received from the Philippines.
This stock is an earlier type, having the grasping grooves and also the "straight edge" left side which was seen on M1903 stocks before about 1910 or so. The grasping grooves were seen on M1903s before WWII. The stock is also stamped with a large "S", denoting that the stock was originally made for a Rock Island M1903. Rock Island Arsenal manufactured M1903 rifles until about 1919. A large number of Rock Island M1903s were sent to the Pacific possessions because the arsenal was considerably closer to Pacific points of departure than the main arsenal at Springfield.
I had a much nicer example of a POD stock, but I (unfortunately) sold it, for reasons that escape me at the minute!!
The stock is mounted on a low numbered Rock Island M1903. Unfortunately, it is not the original rifle the stock was used. However, it is representative of a rifle that MIGHT have used the stock. It is RIA #49911, made about 1904 and rebuilt just after WWI. It has a WWI Rock Island barrel and other WWI and post-WWI parts.
Now, if anyone ever locates an ORIGINAL rifle with a POD stamp, they are welcome to trade it to me for ANYTHING I have!!! ;D
Anyone still awake? Seriously, if anyone has information on the likely location of the Philippine Ordnance Depot, or its' history, please let me know.