SRS check on reported USMC rifle... and an early RIA '03.

[cfn1803]

Marines were issued their M1903 in boot camp and would carry it with them as the transferred from duty station to duty station. From what I have read, until WWII, Marines were allowed to purchase their service rifle from the government upon discharge. Some did, but most did not because of the cost.

Regards,

Clay

[pmclaine]

I have a feeling Rick the Librarian is shedding tears of envy at the sight of your beautiful Rock Island. If you were to tell him that rifle came from the PI I would hear the effects of the green eyed monster even here in MA.

Thank you for taking the time to show some great rifles.

[Jim in Salt Lake]

Marines were issued their M1903 in boot camp and would carry it with them as the transferred from duty station to duty station. From what I have read, until WWII, Marines were allowed to purchase their service rifle from the government upon discharge. Some did, but most did not because of the cost.

Regards,

Clay

My Dad, USMC 1944, knew the serial numbers of the 03A3 he had in boot camp, the M1 he had in advanced infantry training, and the M1 he was issued before he shipped out to invade Japan. He'd rattle those numbers off and I wish to high heaven I had written them down!

[Calif Steve]

Retired in 1939? I think all of the Marines who retired in 1938/41 were recalled to Active Duty. Too bad you don't have a name or service numvber. Might be interesting to try to look him up. I'll bet he saw WWII duty.

[kb466]

I do have a name but I am not going to publish it as requested by the family. This fellow left the Corps in 1939 after 15-20 years service. When he retired, he left as a high ranking enlisted man. In 1942, he went into the Navy and was commissioned an officer. He served the duration of the war as a stateside instructor. There were other things he saved from his USMC service, but the family was keeping those other things. I remember that his kids told me that he was always proud of his USMC service as a "China Marine". In fact, I remember they said he used to joke that he left China just in time as he was on the verge of going "Asiatic" from having served there so long.
Bill M.

[stevekaw]

NICE rifles!

[ClaudeH]

An older friend had a USMC '03 with a similar story. His father was a "China Marine". Apparently some of the posts/assignments involved only a handful of Marines. When time came to muster out in the late '30s, he traveled commercially by boat to the US and by train to, I believe someplace in the Southeast US. I think he was to formally muster out in Baltimore or Philadelphia or somewhere around there. He arrived on a Sunday (?) and was signed out, given his mustering out pay etc., but there was no one there to ask him to return his rifle. So he hopped a train to Chicago and the rifle is still in the family.

His rifle was not as pristine. It bore a sabre cut from an encounter with a rebel in China in which he saved an officer's life. That act of heroism paved the way for his son to have a very smooth road n the Corps.

[kb466]

Very interesting. I for one would be interested in seeing pictures and/or a more detailed description of this other "China Marine" rifle-- is there any chance you could get access to it to photograph it?
Bill M.

An older friend had a USMC '03 with a similar story. His father was a "China Marine". Apparently some of the posts/assignments involved only a handful of Marines. When time came to muster out in the late '30s, he traveled commercially by boat to the US and by train to, I believe someplace in the Southeast US. I think he was to formally muster out in Baltimore or Philadelphia or somewhere around there. He arrived on a Sunday (?) and was signed out, given his mustering out pay etc., but there was no one there to ask him to return his rifle. So he hopped a train to Chicago and the rifle is still in the family.

His rifle was not as pristine. It bore a sabre cut from an encounter with a rebel in China in which he saved an officer's life. That act of heroism paved the way for his son to have a very smooth road n the Corps.

[kb466]

Thanks for all the compliments on my two 1903 rifles. It is really appreciated. Since I have apparently mastered the skill of creating albums here and posting photos, and since I am photographing other arms in my collection, I will post photos of three of my M1 Garands (two early SA's and one WRA) and pictures of a very early Inland M1 Carbine tomorrow night-- in their proper categories here of course. Thanks again for the interest!
Bill M.

[kb466]

For those that are interested, I just posted photos of three of my M1 Garand rifles in the M1 Garand section and photos of my early M1 Carbine in the Carbine section. Thanks.
Bill M.

[ClaudeH]

Very interesting. I for one would be interested in seeing pictures and/or a more detailed description of this other "China Marine" rifle-- is there any chance you could get access to it to photograph it?
Bill M.

In the summer I see his son regularly at the range. So, in two or three months I'll see if I can photograph it.