Unusual inspection stamp

[kragnut]

Raritan arsenal?

[Dick Hosmer]

Are you sure that isn't a "B"? I have one just like it that is a little stronger all over, which definitely is a "B". Unless there was a "W.J." at both arsenals?

[Rick the Librarian]

I'd be willing to guess a misstruck "B" - I've seen different variations of Benecia Arsenal stamps, including BAWJ.

[5MadFarmers]

Benicia. The inspector was about 2 years old when the gun was made.

If Dick had been more curious in the 1980s it would have made for an interesting conversation me thinks. Dude lived until Bush 1 was in office.

[Dick Hosmer]

Which means that the stamp was applied in the 1930s?

[5MadFarmers]

Born, Springfield MA of course, while the '98 carbines were rolling down the line.
Started work in the OD while we were sending doughboys over there.
Retirement age about the time Kennedy decided to go for a sunny car ride in Texas.

Makes for a large window.

WW2 me thinks. I have a reason for that.

[Rick B]

I see "B" from a later rebuild at Benicia by the way the leg curves inwards. Can you macro it closer?? Rick B

[5MadFarmers]

Benicia. Another from a previous thread:

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/3518/krag8.jpg

[Dick Hosmer]

I have two Krags with the BAWJ stamp.

One is the documented (6th Cav/troop "M") Peking/China Relief Expedition M1896 Carbine #70210. Interestingly - and supportive of your WW2 hypotheses - it also has a non-serifed block(P), in fact the very one pictured in Mallory's book. It was owned by the late Bob Hill at the time, who later (but pre-SRS) told me he always had a hunch there was something special about the carbine, and that he'd regretted selling it to me.

The other is my M1892/96 #6692, which has two normal (serifed) circle-Ps. It must have been one of the later conversions as it has the wide fill strip and clamping upper band.

[Rick the Librarian]

Although very slightly off topic, I have seen several POD stamps on 1903s (Philippine Ordnance Depot) and virtually all of them also have Benecia Arsenal stamps, as well. Looks like most M1903s came through Benecia on their way to the Philippines.

[Pentz]

My 1896 Krag has the "BAWJ" stamp as well. Only the bolt was changed to a '98. The '96 rear sight remains.

[Rick B]

From everything I have seen Pre WWII would be a rectangular box. Garands and carbines show a square box. That being said

By no means can a rebuild stamp prove a early rifle was used in a later wars. Not saying this is not the case but many of these came out of storage and were arsenaled and either put away, sent to VFW's or used by recruits to beat on until they were issued a period rifle. I can imagine some higher ups kept their own rifles as they ranked up and moved through wars. Rick B

[5MadFarmers]

Guns were needed to repel the Japanese attack! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_PeQCPq8QA)