Gas Trap receivers with 44 barrels/stocks?

Hey all,

This is just something that I have noticed over time across an array of different platforms. I have at some point seen quite a few rifles for sale with gas trap or five-digit serial numbers having 1944 barrels, Type 2/Type 3 Lockbars, and GAW-stamped stocks.

The last one I noticed just now prompted me to create this post. I assume it's most likely a coincidence, but it's worth asking if there's any knowledge of a rebuilding period in 1944 of early rifles. All I know is that gas traps were to remain in service until parts were worn.

Thank you!
- Michael

I would guess they are just standard WWII rebuilds of guns that had been converted years earlier. I don't think there were many Gas Traps still around by 1944.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bob Seijas

I don't think there were many Gas Traps still around by 1944.

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I thought you had some evidence of rebuild orders from MUCH earlier? The only ones still around would have been found locked up in remote armories and turned in for rebuild as discovered?

I ask because I just recently found a 30xxx receiver with an 8-44 barrel, but the most peculiar thing about it was that underneath the SA GAW stamp was an earlier WRA RS stamp. I don't much (or honestly anything) about rebuilds, but I found it interesting that, all other parts aside, a pre-war Winchester stock would have made its way to Springfield Armory at some point in 1944.

By 1944, the SA GAW stamp was being used as both a inspection cartouche on new production rifles and as a rebuild cartouche. I have owned or have seen the model 1903A1 and 1903A3 stocks with the rebuild SA GAW stamp. I have also seen M1 rifle stocks with the rebuild SA GAW stamp too. Your WRA RS and SA GAW stamped stock is not common to find. Re: serial numbers, I remember the NCO's always wanted the low numbered rifles with five or six digits as the number was easy to remember

My photos show a Winchester stock with the SA GAW rebuild stampAttachment 128993Attachment 128994Attachment 128995Attachment 128996

I do not have the rifle in hand as I purchased it online after noticing the hidden WRA stamp underneath the GAW, but I will provide the photos I have online. I personally can't decipher whether it is a genuine postwar rebuild, a CMP put-together, or a self-assembled put-together; I'm sure someone with experience could better decipher that. But it is interesting in that it has an array of Winchester parts on it, particularly the rear sights, with beveled Lockbars but checkered elevation knob. It does have a correct operating rod with a small relief cut in it as well. Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Edit: Still can't seem to figure out providing photos. It says they're attached but when I post they're not there. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/OpF6zY7.png[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/5AvILP1.png[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/5Ycn0m1.png[/IMG]

I had trouble, too, until I finally figured it out. If you click Manage Attachments below the message, you get a window File Upload Manager with a shaded box Add Files in the upper right. Clicking that gives you the opportunity to Choose Files. Clicking that opens the documents on your computer. You can highlight one of your photos and click Upload. It will appear on the original Manage Attachments screen and give you the choice Insert Inline. That will put the pic in your post wherever your cursor was. I then preview the post to make sure it's there, then post.
Attachment 128997
This rifle, BTW, is a Winchester battlefield pick-up in Germany after the war... just wrote an article on it for the GCA Journal. it's all original 2405606, quite a find recently acquired by one of our members in Madrid.

Thank you, Bob, I appreciate it, it was quite confusing figuring it out.

As for that rifle, I'm jealous of those who live in Europe and manage to find these rifles. It's a dream of mine to be able to own something recovered from Europe or a genuine veteran "bring-back". As far as I'm aware, any rifles found in Europe are not only illegal to import but technically stolen U.S. property as well, correct? I had the very fortunate luck to purchase a Guam Garand, which is most likely the closest I'll come to acquiring a battlefield pickup.

Technically, any vet bring-back is stolen property but AFAIK nobody has ever been charged for it. GCA has written up a number of battlefield rifles, they are so neat. One of my faves is the Iwo Jima Garand featured in the Fall 2013 Journal.

Another NJ member! Thanks Bob.

I just went and looked at notes quickly for a Garand I have. Its five digit/w 44 barrel, saw cut gas cylinder. #20555 or something like that.
Nothing extra ordinary I can tell from it other than it has the concentric ring trigger guard and it runs like oiled glass when its in use.

I received it from the CMp a few years ago. Rack or Field grade it was,and when I ordered it I requested a new barrel at the same time which went on something else.
Luckily for me, I didn't need to replace it .
So, I replaced the op rod spring, went over it, shot it a few times and was surprised at how accurate it was with ball ammo.
Very surprised actually, but maybe that days outing was just a fluke I'm no tournament marksman to say the least.

I can now recall it has a Winchester bolt, the ejector was near frozen etc. I greased it up put it away and haven't had it out since.

Happy Thanksgiving all - Blessed Holiday season, pleased to be able to contribute a small bit here,

Brian

I have seen quite a few No Trap stocks that were modified and had a later rebuild SPG stamp on them. It would seem they had Mr Gibbs when he came back in charge of the Gas Trap rifles being converted. His rebuild stamp is also found on many 1903's Rick B

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2/GNHcDv-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2/5EAcRc-1.jpg