Unit markings on vintage M-1 Garand stock

[RCS]

Actually Kovak's stock has a rack number, next to the stock drawing number D28293 is the rack number B-105

[Mark in Rochester]

RCS

Hope this is the same guy

When the 4th group returned from the Miljet raid we took a quick bath and changed clothes. We had built a portable shower from empty five-gallon cans. With limited sleep, we had reveille the next morning called by Captain Eichler and we returned to our duties on Vis. At dusk we went to our shelter on the hill; we were certain that the Luftwaffe would send an armada to retaliate for our raid on Miljet. We were not disappointed. The German Air Force bombed us that evening and it was hell. Looking out from our bunkers it reminded me of the Fourth of July. Bombs were dropping all over the island; fortunately our sanctuary was not hit head on. One bomb that turned out to be a dud landed in one of our bunkers.


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Individuals involved in raid


Major P. G. Lovell
Capt. A. W. Keer
Capt. R. E. Eichler
Lt. W. C. Bentham
S/Sgt. W. S. Mierwejewski
T/5 M. Redovian
T/5 J. L. Luf
T/5 J. Bogo
Sgt. L. M. Nowicki
T/5 J. J. Helinski
T/5 D. E. Van Gampleare
T/5 Youhouse
T/5 J. Simon
Sgt. W. A. Zach
T/5 E. L. Chmieleski
T/5 H. S. Kozlowski
T/5 E. Sliwa
T/5 F. G. Smolinski
T/5 W. S. Kopacz
Sgt. G. J. Kirchner
T/5 J. W. Baron
T/5 J. W. Koutelis
T/5 B. Economou
T/5 M. Kalissz
T/5 C. J. Bartz
T/5 E. S. Nagler
T/5 S. A. Pobutkiewiscz
T/5 H. F. Wozniak
T/5 S. Gniewek
T/5 C. J. Novak
T/5 L. Franczyk
T/5 N. R. Kasmierczak
T/5 F. Kovalkevich
T/5 T. P. Soulas
T/5 T. E. Lefakis
Sgt. C. C. Christie
Sgt. T. P. Georgalos
T/5 D. J. Christ
Cpl. A. P. Phillips
Cpl. A. S. Mousalimas
T/5 A. G. Grevis
T/5 J. H. Pulos
T/5 G. S. Kalliavas
T/5 D. Fotinatos
T/5 T. S. Kastanes


Operational Groups of the Office of Strategic Services
Yugoslavian Island Operations: (with operation numbers)
T/5 C. J. Novak 5 6 8

More here Office of Strategic Services Operational Groups


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[RCS]

Found a few more old or vintage M1 wood with rack numbers.

On the early SA SPG no trap stock, look at the end of the pistol grip for the number 18Attachment 22500Attachment 22501

[Joe W]

While in the Marine Corps I was an armorer and never saw rack numbers, unit numbers or any type of markings on stocks of the M1 Garand or any other weapon. This may have been a practice in other services but you will not find a Marine Corps M1 rifle with stock markings. When I was in the Marine Corps in the 1950s we kept our rifles in our wall lockers along with uniforms and everything else. Packs with bayonet attached was straped on the end of the rack. I never heard of a rifle or bayonet being stolen but it may have happened. There were rifle racks in the barracks but they were never used as they had no lock on them. I heard that by the 1960s rifles were kept in the armory and drawn out as needed. We had our rifles in our possession 24-7.

[gulliver62]

I personally like the rack numbers on the guns. I think it adds something.
There are those that disagree especially if looking for a correct gun.

Unfortunately, to 'clean them up' I think you would basically wind up in a state of stock refinishing which might be worse.

I think leave them.