WRA 1.06m

[cpc]

Charlie,
Thanks for the link and information. Your carbine is outstanding, and I like that your hand guard is unmarked. While mine looks like the other hand guards posted I could not find a W anywhere but then again there is quite a bit of fair wear and tear on the rifle. The sling has a flat buckle and is not round wire. The gunk and grime on the sling makes it look like they have been together forever. Here are some pictures.

[painter777]

cpc,
Your Hand Guard is what is often called a Bull Nose because of the side and front view profiles. Only made by WRA, and used very early. I don't recall seeing one marked with the W, but I might have I have a large collection of HG's. Even on later WRA HG's if the letter W is missing look for the Milling pattern near the notch. I've only found this on WRA made HG's. Looking closely you'll see the Outer circle will pass Over the Inner circle.

From some old notes:

Cartouche
WRA started out with the large WRA over GHD all in the box and Crossed Cannons beside it up to about 1,067,649.
Then at 1,055,513 they changed over to the Un-Boxed WRA over GHD with Crossed Cannons beside it.
These were known to overlap.

Most interesting to me about your 1,067,095 is your 1st style stock with a fairly early 2nd style Ordnance stamp.

I Cut from start to roughly 1,153,691.
Oval Hi-Wood from 1,067,649 to end of 1st serial number block.
Again, These were known to overlap.

These are Old Notes. But seems to show WRA had plenty of I cut Stocks on hand.
It's a very nice find, Thx for sharing it.

[cpc]

Thanks again. Not as pronounced as yours but the same two milling circles. The cartouche is interesting information that the rifle is right on the borderline for a change. Regards

[painter777]

I'm sure I picked out a clear well defined HG back when I took that picture so I could show how the Outer circle over laps the Inner circle for my example.
Most will look like yours. Also notice the long Vertical line that runs full length in the middle of the Groove. This is also found on most every WRA HG. Later ones are often found with a letter stamped inside. Not sure if it stood for a Inspector, Shift, Work Station, Shipping Lot etc.
When found stamped with a W, the W will be on the Left about 1/2 way from the Notch to the front nose. I don't ever recall ever seeing a WRA HG stamped with the W on the right rail. Sometimes guys see a M only on the bottom right rail they mistake as a W when it's actually a M for a Marlin replacement. **This M is usually 1" to 1-1/2" up from the bottom right rail.
**Often see these offered for sale as WRA or Humped with a -U added to appear like a HG for a Underwood, But if you pay attention the M's are a different style. FWIW

Are those initials carved in to the bottom of your pistol grip? Maybe those of the WWII Veteran?

[cpc]

Yes, the big initials were from the original vet and then his son who was a USMC Vietnam vet carved his initials under his dad’s. He was dying of agent orange so he sold his dad’s stuff - lots of Japanese WWIi ordnance and some U.S. ordnance that his dad brought back as well as his stuff. He has since passed.

[painter777]

He was dying of agent orange so he sold his dad’s stuff

He has since passed.

Sorry to hear that. We've lost so many that stepped up and served by way of The Orange Death. We'll never know the true numbers and how long they suffered.
It's truly shameful...

Sincerely,
Ch-P777