Cartouche help...

[stretch74]

I have a finger grooved stock which appears to have had the second stock bolt installed duing the over haul process. Aside from the proof mark, the only discernable mark is a boxed "PODM" on the left side forward of the wrist of the stock. The "M" is serified, the other letters are not. The "D" is only partialy visable, and it could possilbly be a different letter. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

[RCS]

Here is a photo of my Philippine Ordnance Depot rebuild stamp

[stretch74]

That appears to be it! (With the exception of an "M" instead of a "D") The second cartouche I can barely make out, however your photo helped a lot. Something very similar is there, in the same position, but I can only make out portions of the letters. This has helped me out a bunch. It is attached to a 1910 Springfield Arsenal built rifle, no hatcher hole, straight bolt, etc. The stock bolts look like an after thought. Many thanks. My Dad was in the 31st Infantry in Korea, and went to the Phillipeans to recover the colors when it was stood back up in 1946 duirng the occupation after the war...befitting. Perhaps a "Polar Bear" once carried it in earnest.

[jonnyo55]

My guess is that the boxed "POD" stamp left room for another letter, which would be indicative of the individual facility. This would explain the different fonts used. I'm certainly no expert on Filipino ordnance facilities, but one could imagine that the "M" could stand for Manila. The "D"? I dunno...Darlac?

Stock bolt additions seemed to be a not unusual depot upgrade. I once had a VERY early RIA, I think the barrel date was 1906. The rifle was in NRA horrible condition...it LOOKED like it had been through more than one war. Regardless, it was all correct and original, with a straight side stock that sported not one, but two added stock bolts. The work was done none too neatly, either.....the holes looked like they had been gouged out with a nail.

[stretch74]

Heh...the telling tale on the stock bolts on this one are the nuts. They do not appear to be installed uniformly, and they are staked differently than one other. It makes me appreciate the rifle all the more. The rifle as a whole is in good condition, and will look correct next to my M1904 McClellan packed for field service...which has been a whole 'nuther adventure in restoration. It has been a fourty year process. I'm not sure why it is so important to me, other than to say someone should find value in preserving a little part of the past. Finding a peice of wood, leather, or steel stamped "RIA" during someones garage sale is akin to winning the lottery. Thanks for the input!

[RCS]

On the POD rebuild stamp the other letter D or M or whatever, is the inspector

[Rick the Librarian]

I have seen several POD stamps but virtually all of them were PODD.

The Philippine Ordnance Depot was located in Fort Santiago, in Manila. Finding a certified Philippines M1903 or M1917 is #!@ on my "want" list.

[RCS]

There were some M1917 stocks in the USA with the POD rebuild stamp, could not get one !

[Rick the Librarian]

I've got a PODD stock on a LN Rock Island - I'm just looking for a rifle or pistol with provenance to the Philippines.

[jonnyo55]

Was the POD a US or RP facility?

[Rick the Librarian]

U.S. - it was before World War II, when the Philippines was still a U.S. possession. As far as I know the depot was destroyed in 1945.

Here's a picture of the POD stock I have mounted on a 272,000 range RIA. By the way, nearly every POD-marked stock I have examined also has a BAWL (Benecia Arsenal) stamp, which leads me to believe that Benecia was the way station for weapons shipped to the Philippines.

http://www.fototime.com/ACFF488D18DFDDB/standard.jpg

[RCS]

It was a rebuild facility located in Manila for US small arms until captured by the Japanese at the start of WW2

[stretch74]

Thanks to all. This has really helped explain a lot. The stock displays what is left of the Benecia Arsenal cartouche as well. Being the sum of it's parts, the rifle is certainly well traveled. Probably has more miles on it then there are on me, and I have a few trips across the pond while representing my rich uncle. Of course it is twice as old as I am, and had a longer "term of service". Retirement should be a little less nomadic...for both.