B.H.M. cartouche

[Promo]

Does anyone know which inspector used the B.H.M. cartouche on M1903 rifles?

Regards,

Georg

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

BHM (to my knowledge) is not identified as to name. However, it does date to pre-WWI. I have the stamp on my one-bolt stock on #230477 SA.

[Promo]

I bought an RIA M1903, dating from 1909 which has the BHM cartouche on it. According to your S/N (should be about 1907 - correct me if I'm wrong) you should be right with the pre-WWI dating.
Any other idea what it could mean - if it's no name?

Regards,

Georg

[Rick the Librarian]

BHM was a Springfield inspector. All pre-WWI Rock Island rifles were inspected by Conrad Nelson (CN). His stamp consisted of a "script" CN over the date accepted.

Look on the very forward tip of the stock (the "wedge" you see when looking down the barrel). Springfield stocks had a 1/8" S while Rock Island ones had a 1/4" inch S.

BHM was a "real" person -- there just is no record (again, if my memory serves me) of who he was.

[Mike D]

Brophy lists an H.M. Brooks as an inspector employed from 1902-1920. Could his stamp be BHM? (Last name first)

[Promo]

Brophy lists an H.M. Brooks as an inspector employed from 1902-1920. Could his stamp be BHM? (Last name first)

Which edition of the Brophy do you use? In the 2nd edition I own he lists the BHM cartouche as "Name: ? - Time Period: 1908-1915 - Armory/Arsenal or Factory: Springfield Armory". He lists H.M. Brooks - but with a "HMB"-cartouche from 1902-1920. Anybody seen such one yet?

@Rick: I don't have the rifle by hand now, will take ~2 weeks until I can look for a S. But I will.

Regards,

Georg

[Rick the Librarian]

The inspectors are always listed first name first.

[Mike D]

If edition is the same as printing, maybe 4th? All I see is a copyright (1985), and a list of the printings - 4th being the last, 1996. What is the latest edition?

In the copy I have, B.H.M. is listed with no name, 1909-1914.

It does list Brooks' initials as H.M.B. It seems the last initial is the last name.

I have never seen either cartouche, post pics when you get a chance, Promo.

[A6BN]

Here's a picture of my 1903 stock with BHM stamp.....kind of hard to make out but it is BHM

Attachment 20594

same stock with two different AAJ stamps

Attachment 20595

[Promo]

Attachment 12448
Barrel marked RIA 5 - 09, S/N 140.XXX

Regards,

Georg