National Archive request for my Great-Grandfather's M1903...

[TDP0311]

Welp, here goes nothing... MY grandmother and I sent in a request to the national archives to see if we can find my great grandfather's M1903 serial number. He hit France as a rifleman and combat replacement in July 1918... be interesting to see if they have his files on record still (hopefully his files werent destroyed in the fire of the 70s).

Its definitely a crap shoot, but if I do find it I'll try my best to find the rifle...

Not the best picture, but some of the stuff I was given by the family of his...

[Rick the Librarian]

It depends on what you get back - my uncle's records from WWI (U.S. Marines) was extremely detailed; I sent away for my father-in-law's records (WWII and Korean War Navy) was very sketchy. My uncle's records came back with the M1903 serial number he had first been issued.

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

Welp, here goes nothing... MY grandmother and I sent in a request to the national archives to see if we can find my great grandfather's M1903 serial number. He hit France as a rifleman and combat replacement in July 1918... be interesting to see if they have his files on record still (hopefully his files werent destroyed in the fire of the 70s).
Its definitely a crap shoot, but if I do find it I'll try my best to find the rifle...
Not the best picture, but some of the stuff I was given by the family of his...

I tried with zero luck. I got nothing back.

What is the medal on the left?

jt

[TDP0311]

Well since my great grandfather was a Marine, I am encouraged by that! Any luck finding your uncle's rifle?

[TDP0311]

JT- its a French Croix de Guerre

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

JT- its a French Croix de Guerre

Thank you.

jt

PS
0311 - MOS?

[Rick the Librarian]

Well since my great grandfather was a Marine, I am encouraged by that! Any luck finding your uncle's rifle?

No, one problem - the serial number was low enough it could have either been a Rock Island or Springfield; have a hunch it's a Rock Island, but no sign of either one.

[TDP0311]

JT- yes, I was an 0311

Rick, well I hope you have some luck in the future and possibly it turns up... be pretty incredible to have a relative's war rifle.

[Rick the Librarian]

Actually, it would be a rifle he carried in the service, rather than a "ear rifle" - he spent the war on Cavite, in the Philippines, Guam and Mare Island, as a messman. :D

[cplnorton]

I collect Marine uniforms and have requested records form the archives many times. To be honest though, you are better off paying a researcher to go get them for you and copy them. Half of the time I have got records from the government you cannot read them, they are copies wrong, or pages are missing.

But when you pay a researcher they do an excellent job and the quality is a 100 times better in my opinion. I use Red Bird Research for mine. She charges about $50 or less to pull the records and mail them to you. Also you usually get them less than 2 weeks. I have her email if you wanted to contact her.

I would highly recommend a researcher.

[Rick the Librarian]

I may use that researcher, too. Could you PM/email me her email.

Thanks! RtL

[TDP0311]

Cpl Norton, I think I will take you up on your suggestion...

So basically they live close to the archives and are able to go in and do research?

[tbone69]

I like the medal with the Lee rifle. really great items!

[TDP0311]

tbone- that is the USMC good conduct medal, and it looks almost identical today. I'm very lucky to have these items from my great-grandfather, since I ended up in the 5th Marine Regiment like he did I was the one given these.

[Dick Hosmer]

JT- yes, I was an 0311

Rick, well I hope you have some luck in the future and possibly it turns up... be pretty incredible to have a relative's war rifle.

Not 1903-related, but I count myself extremely lucky to have acquired, totally by needle-in-the-haystack luck, the Model 1884 experimental rod-bayonet trapdoor which had been issued on trial to a distant cousin when he was in the 23rd Infantry at Ft. Mackinac MI, in 1886-87. A longer version of the story can be told if anyone is interested.

[TDP0311]

Lets hear it!

[Dan Shapiro]

Tell us! Tell us!

[Rick the Librarian]

Me, three!! :D

[Fred]

I want to know as well!

[Dick Hosmer]

OK, will do, but it likely won't be until after Thanksgiving. Should I post it here, or on the TD forum - don't want to infringe?

[Rick the Librarian]

Why don't you post on the TD forum, but post a link here?

[Dick Hosmer]

Done - see trapdoor forum.