question on the P.O.D. rebuild stamp ?

[RCS]

Just interested to know if the P.O.D rebuild is without any doubt the Philippine Ordnance Depot stamp used in the
Philippines before WW2 ? There was also a Manila Ordnance Depot that did not reopen during the post war period.

I was looking for any evidence or documents to support the use of the POD stamp in the Philippines, now published
information may or may not be correct, just want to know if there is additional information ?P1010028_1_0024_024.jpg

[Fred]

Waaay Cool!

[Rick the Librarian]

I've studied this stamp in some detail. To my knowledge it was the successor to the Manila Ordnance Depot. The Philippine Ordinance Depot was located at Fort Santiago in Manila. Fort Santiago was also the location of the 31st Infantry Regiment.

The POD stamp nearly always comes with an additional "D" (PODD) - there was a gentleman who recently displayed a POD stamp with a T (PODT), which is the only one I've ever seen. In both cases, I have not been able to find out who the individual inspectors were. Naturally, the Philippines were overrun by the Japanese in 1941-42 and Manila was largely destroyed during the liberation in 1945.

In nearly every case the POD stamp is paired with a BAWL (Benecia Arsenal, the WL is the individual inspector). Either rifles being sent to the Philippines went through Benecia Arsenal or they went through Benecia Arsenal when they were being returned, I don't know which.

As the Philippines 1942 and before, is my "specialty", I have long tried to find a M1, M1903 or M1917 with provenance to the Philippines during that period. I have only seen the POD on M1903s - no other rifles.

[cplnorton]

Hey an interesting note on the Philippines and Benecia Arsenal. In 1910 the first major shipment (1200) of 1903's to the Marines were shipped from Benecia Arsenal to Mare Island, and they set sail right away for the Phillipines.

On the reverse side a 1000 USMC Krags from Cavite Philippines was transferred back to Benecia Arsenal.

So there does seem to be a connection as you noted between BA and the Philippines. But I think at this time BA was the main Ordnance Depot on the west coast.

[Rick the Librarian]

It seems that way about Benecia, as I have never heard or read of any other until WWII.

[RCS]

There was also the Hawaiian Ordnance Depot which used the H.O.D. rebuild stamp. Charles Redfield wrote an article some years ago
on the M1 Rifle rebuild stamps and had found a SA GHS cartouched rifle stock with the H.O.D. rebuild stamp. Not many examples of
this H.O.D. rebuild stamp have surfaced

[Rick the Librarian]

I can't say I have seen more than one. Another rare inspection stamp is the Panama Ordnance Depot - PaOD.

[RCS]

I have seen photos of the Pa.O.D. too, but only on Model 1903 rifles

[Rock]

I have seen photos of the Pa.O.D. too, but only on Model 1903 rifles

I have a CMP Rock Island 03 that is stamped PAOD on the receiver over the serial number.

[RCS]

another Benecia Arsenal stamp

This camedscn1789.jpgdscn1791.jpgdscn1790.jpg from the CMP on a rifle about ten years ago

[RCS]

another rarely seen pre war stamp

I have a lot more examples of the POD stamp than this SA JFC stampP1010042_1_0038_038.jpg