WRA unmarked Stock

[shottist]

Have just acquired an WRA stock with out cartouches or proof stamps of any kind. Stock is original, unsanded and has all of the hallmarks associated with WRA including 3 stamped numbers, (258) under the stock ferrule. Old finish is very dark and the stock has the normal dings and scrapes. My questions are, How did this stock escape cartouches. When was it manufactured? and what time frame would it have been used? Thanks in advance to all who rspond.

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[Charlie59]

Can you post pics?

[Ramboueille]

Have just acquired an WRA stock with out cartouches or proof stamps of any kind. Stock is original, unsanded and has all of the hallmarks associated with WRA including 3 stamped numbers, (258) under the stock ferrule. Old finish is very dark and the stock has the normal dings and scrapes. My questions are, How did this stock escape cartouches. When was it manufactured? and what time frame would it have been used? Thanks in advance to all who rspond.

Stock was used as a replacement or rejected. Since there is no cartouche or Ordnance acceptance stamp, it was was not accepted as US property. Not that unusual.

[Bodyman]

They used to show up more often, but I haven't seen one for a while. Part of WRA's contract to make Garands specified that they had to provide a certain amount of replacement parts, including stocks (10% over, I think). There are what certainly appear to be these unmarked replacement stocks from even the earliest eras of production. I have a very nice long channel that I traded for years ago, and I think they are an interesting sidenote in Garand production.

(Yes, I am ignoring the obvious next question ... you won't have to think too hard to find the answer, just use your imagination.)

[dbarn]

It would make sense that additional stocks were provided as replacements from early on throughtout production. As these stocks were added after the rifle was accepted, they would have no acceptance marks.

However, according to Carbine Club records, there are some very early Winchester carbines reported with their respective stocks that are also void of acceptance stamps. FWIW.

[mark1]

It may be marked. I have seen stocks with an old finish that has darkened and under that was the inspection stamps. Try holding it under a light and turn the stock at different angles to see if you can detect any marking under the finish.

[shottist]

Gently cleaned off dirt and old finish on stock with Lacquer Thinner. No Cartouches.

[Rick B]

They used to show up more often, but I haven't seen one for a while. Part of WRA's contract to make Garands specified that they had to provide a certain amount of replacement parts, including stocks (10% over, I think). There are what certainly appear to be these unmarked replacement stocks from even the earliest eras of production. I have a very nice long channel that I traded for years ago, and I think they are an interesting sidenote in Garand production.

(Yes, I am ignoring the obvious next question ... you won't have to think too hard to find the answer, just use your imagination.)

Jeff the Win-13's were the replacement parts guns. Figure out how many extra sets they had to make and it is the correct amount. This was why the 13 was designated and kept them separate. Mr. Clancy is privy to this and turned me onto this tid bit. Ed has proof they were not making the extra guns and were called out on this part of the contract. They were going to be fined if they did not produce the rifles so they did with the WIN-13's.

The fat unmarked stocks were part of Winchesters replacement wood after WWII. I spoke with a worker who was part of that era. Rick B

[MD220]

I happened to by a couple rifles from a retired CMP employee. He finished the last couple years of his career down in Anniston,having come from Port Clinton.He told me that while there, a gentleman showed up that happened to work at Winchester during the war.This former employee told them that they were producing rifles so fast near the end of the war that they did not have time to cartouche and many went through without.You can take this for what it's worth, heresay and no documentation.Just thought I'd share the story!

[MD220]

I happened to by a couple rifles from a retired CMP employee. He finished the last couple years of his career down in Anniston,having come from Port Clinton.He told me that while there, a gentleman showed up that happened to work at Winchester during the war.This former employee told them that they were producing rifles so fast near the end of the war that they did not have time to cartouche and many went through without.You can take this for what it's worth, heresay and no documentation.Just thought I'd share the story!