WTK: Meaning of 506 stamp on WRA/GHD stock

I posted this on the other forum, but couldn't find a definite answer. Their ideas were it was a rack number or maybe like a legion post or something. I was just curious if anyone over here has seen anything like it?

It's a all correct 43 WRA, serial 1.36. This rifle has been in a friend of mine's hands since the early 90's. And I finally talked him into selling it to me.

The interesting part to this rifle is it has a 506 stamped right behind the reciever on the heel. It is then filled in with white paint. It also has a number 30 stamped right below the rear swing swivel.

I don't think the 506 stamping is the rack number. I believe the number 30 is. But I don't know for sure.

It also has the PBS 7-44 markings on the barrel for the peninsular base section. I know there was one in Italy, and have heard of another located somewhere else. Anyone else know where it would have been? I was curious if this rifle was a pick up after D-Day.

The only thing I can think of on the 506 stamp is it's a unit stamp. Which that would be really cool as the 506th, was the unit of the Band of Brothers. It would sure be interesting to make that association! :)

What do you guys think?

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...er506014-1.jpg

I think this number 30 is the rack number, not the 506.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...er506023-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...er506013-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...er506001-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...er506021-1.jpg

Steve,

A natural first thought but somewhat hopeful. The concept is commendable but relating the 506th to Peninsular Base Shop 7 - 44, Italy doesn't wash. The 506th wasn't in Italy and by July, 1944, they were were well entrenched with the invasion of Europe in France.

PS: Nice rifle.....

Someone said on the other forum, there was a second PBS station, but they don't know where it was. I would guess there would have been something set up in France or England to repair equiptment after the D-Day invasion. As much planning as they put into that, they would have had to have a supply repair section as well I would think. But I don't know if it they called it the PBS, or by some other name. I know there was a repair section in Australia as well, but it wasn't a PBS, it was another name.

Does anyone know the second location of the PBS, that might tell us a little more about the 506 stamp? I guess too, the stock might not be original to the rifle. Bubba might have switched it, or it got switched while still in service.

I would bet it is a rack #. I have seen plenty so marked there. The other # is a rack# as well. Just depended on the type of rack being used, and what the officer in charge wanted done.

PBS means Peninsular Base Section and a Base Section would, among other responsibilities, gather battle-worn equipment or battle-damaged equipment and repair it. There was only one PBS (in Italy). There were other Base Sections, I used to have a list of them. So that barrel, at least, and maybe the whole rifle went through some sort of depot level repair in Italy in August, 1944. I have a SA 12-42 barrel with a PBS 10-44 stamp on it. The various PBS sub-units were all over the place but mostly near Naples.

What other markings are on the barrel?

I have no idea what the 506 means but given the PBS on the barrel and assuming that the barrel is original to the receiver (that maybe a big assumption regardless of how correct the rifle may seem) I highly doubt it has anything to do with the 506th PIR.

No other markings on the barrel that I can see. I haven't taken the top handguard off yet. But will do that probably this weekend. I don't know if anything would be under there or not.

The barrel should be marked D35448W.R.A. under the handguard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

The barrel should be marked D35448W.R.A. under the handguard.

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I mean as far as rebuild marks. I've seen some WWII rebuild marks put under the rear handguard.