W&S question

[geberl]

Jim,

Were the 352 numbers and earlier examples not originally 1908 rifles? They were reworked I've seen two plugged examples for sale on the CMP auctions, I was under the impression that everything of W&S type was refitted to standard configuration in the late 1920's.


Sounds like we are seeing the same things on the rifles later than 936K being not available with correct barrel dates or more importantly with anything predating 1926. This does point to spare parts for the 1.01 and high 900 numbers between 1918 and the scrapping of the W&S design.

[John Beard]

I might also pose two questions:
1. Has anyone ever seen a M1908 rifle that has been plugged?
2. If not, what happened to those rifles?

Jim

(1) Yes, several.

(2) They were plugged and converted to regular service rifles.

J.B.

[Jim Tarleton]

I think the M1908's were retrofitted for regular issue service much earlier that 1920, as I have seen no photo of a M1908 in the AEF. The M1913 followed suite after the war (1926?). I had just never seen a plugged M1908 rifle, but now I know they do exist. I need to get out more.

Jim

[Jim Tarleton]

Sorry, John. I must be a slower typer than are you.

Jim

[John Beard]

The 1 million rifles were assembled in late 1918 then and not kept as recievers?
I've not seen one with a barrel pre WWII but as I said my sample of W&S rifles is limited. I had assumed they would have been used right away but the only ones I've seen had late barrels on them.
They were plugged when assembled? As I stated above the ones I've seen weren't? Trying to figure out if there was an SOP to plug them and someone felt lazy the day some of them were put together. I do thank you for the above information, would like some clarification on these questions however.

A WWII barrel on a S/N 10xxxxx W&S rifle is a replacement.

I have four S/N 10xxxxx W&S rifles in my data base and three of the four have 1927-dated barrels. (The fourth has an HS 1944-dated barrel). This is entirely consistent with what I know about operations at Springfield Armory. The receivers were pulled from stores, plugged, and assembled in late 1927.

J.B.

[geberl]

John,

Glad to see the other numbers with 27 dates, think this problem is solved, just haven't seen anything published, that is why I asked originally. I had assumed these 1mil range W&S rifles were spare parts, but when they made it as complete rifles is where I was mixed up. The 40's dates were puzzling, my original thoughts were the rifles were all standard configuration in the late 20's but couldn't find reference to one with a 20's barrel. The information both of you have provided have really helped my understanding, I thank you both for a most interesting conversation.