"I have just purchased one and would like to bettter understand this mechanism"

**John Beard** · 11-01-2009 01:44 AM

[handwritten]
9111 St Paul
Detroit, Mich
June 23, 1934.

Secretary of War
War Department
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Will you please send me any information available on Springfield rifles. I have just purchased one and would like to better understand this mechanism. If there is any charge, I will pay it upon receipt of information.

Yours truly
Bernard MacNeel

Information

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**John Beard** · 11-01-2009 01:48 AM

IMM/vn

July 1, 1934.

Mr. Bernard MacNeel,
9111 St. Paul,
Detroit, Michigan.

Dear Sir:

Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of June 25, 1934, (file O.O. 474.1/6349), wherein you ask to be furnished with information concerning the Springfield rifles.

This office is unable to identify the arm you have acquired from the nomenclature given. If you will furnish this office with the Caliber and Model of this arm, this office will endeavor to furnish you the information you desire.

Very truly yours,

R.S. Chavin,
Major, Ord. Dept.
Assistant.

**John Beard** · 11-01-2009 01:54 AM

[handwritten]
9111 St. Paul
Detroit, Michigan
Sept. 4, 1934

War Department
Chief of Ordnance

Mr. R. S. Chavin

On June 25, 1934, I wrote your office asking for information concerning Springfield rifles. In your reply, you asked for additional information which I am enclosing.

The rifle I am interested in is a 1903 model. It is chambered for both .303 and .306 [sic] shells.

Yours truly
B. MacNeel

**Rick the Librarian** · 11-01-2009 08:13 AM

Hmmm. I wonder if the guy actually tried shooting a .303 in his Springfield? He definitely needed some help!!

**Jim Tarleton** · 11-01-2009 08:38 AM

I suspect there is more to this story?

Jim

**Jim Tarleton** · 11-01-2009 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by Rick the Librarian

Hmmm. I wonder if the guy actually tried shooting a .303 in his Springfield? He definitely needed some help!!

Rick,

I suspect he meant 30-03 and 30-06. The 30-03 was fairly common in those days.

Jim

**Rick the Librarian** · 11-01-2009 09:54 AM

Good point - based on the way he stated 30-06 as "306" you may be right.

**John Beard** · 11-01-2009 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Tarleton

I suspect there is more to this story?

Jim

That's all I could find in the file relative to that particular correspondent. I suppose a copy of his second letter was forwarded to the appropriate office in the Ordnance Dept. who obliged with the requested material.

Just wait, Jim. I've got one ESPECIALLY FOR YOU!

J.B.

**Jim Tarleton** · 11-01-2009 04:49 PM

Uh oh. I have a funny feeling.

Jim

**rebound** · 11-01-2009 08:40 PM

[QUOTE=Jim Tarleton icon

;89047]Uh oh. I have a funny feeling.

Jim[/QUOD
Hay Jim,
Will J.B.'s suprize make your leg tingle, like Obama does to NBC news reporters?

Thread: "I have just purchased one and would like to bettter understand this mechanism"

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"I have just purchased one and would like to bettter understand this mechanism"

The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to John Beard For This Useful Post:

"This office is unable to identify the arm you have acquired...."

The Following 3 Members Say Thank You to John Beard For This Useful Post:

"It is chambered for both .303 and .306 shells."

The Following 3 Members Say Thank You to John Beard For This Useful Post:

30-03 and 30-06

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