RRAD M1 Questions

[deserttrans]

Was the reciever leg on all the RRAD rebuilds stamped in some way after rebuild? I've looked all over and can not find a mark. The stock is stamped RRAD in large letters on the left, but no other marks on the rifle. The only marks on the stock is a boxed P and the RRAD. I assume it is a replacement stock? Thanks for any opinions. The reciever is 7/42 and barrel 9/51.

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Information

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[Cajun J]

I have a Winchester rebuilt at RRAD. It also only has RRAD on the stock and nothing on the reciever legs. I believe I have seen posted on this site in the past that you can find them marked either way. The stock on mine is also a rebuild stock.

[deserttrans]

Thanks Cajun, I appreciate your info.

[Tom Doniphon]

Rebuild facilities marked stocks up into the early 1960s. They then switched to marking the receiver leg instead of the stock.

[deserttrans]

Thanks for the info Tom.

[Bill Ricca]

Pre 1962 it was Red River Arsenal or RRA. In 1962 the Army was re-structured and it became Red River Army Depot or RRAD.

[deserttrans]

Bill, any idea when and if they might not have been stamping the receiver leg and just the stock? Thanks

[Joe W]

Bill, any idea when and if they might not have been stamping the receiver leg and just the stock? Thanks

I would say that prior to 1965, maybe 1964, rebuild codes were not being etched on the receiver legs.
According to an article "In the System" By Bruce N. Canfield, found in the Dec. 2003 American Rifleman, it is stated, "As the Viet Nam war heated up in the mid 60s, additional M1s in the government's inventory were needed as supplemental service rifles and for military aid requirements. Several U.S. Government ordnance facilities were given contracts for the overhaul of more M1s during that period. M1 overhaul work was done primarily by Tooele Army Depot and Letterkenny Army Depot. Red River Army Depot and Springfield Armory also overhauled some M1s as well. Unlike the earlier rebuild markings, which were stamped on the stock, these facilites typically utilized identity codes that were hand etched on the right side of the receiver leg by electric pen. In most cases the code was accompanied by month and year the rebuild was performed. Some of the facilities stamped a "P" proofmark on the pistol grip of the stock after the rifles were proof fired as part of the final overhaul inspection procedure. Unlike factory proof stamps which consisted of a circled "P", the overhaul proof stamps were either a block letter "P" enclosed in square or by itself."

Alot more good information regarding rebuilds/overhauls can be found in this article.


One other thing that must be considered is that the rifle may not be the rifle that was overhauled at RRAD when the stock was installed.
Also per Canfield " Rifles overhauled at overseas ordnance installations were not required to have the initials of the facility stamped on the stock or engraved in the metal, thus not all rebuilt arms will have stamps."

[Bill Ricca]

No, that is not in my area of research.

If it was RRAD, it was sometime after 1962.

[heavyhands]

Anyone know whether they replaced all the wood when they rebuilt them during the 60's? I understand that they would reuse the original metal parts if they guaged good and had them refinished but what about the stocks and hand guards? Did they refinish old wood pieces and reused them?