WTK: Meaning of 506 stamp on WRA/GHD stock

[cplstevennorton]

I posted this on the other forum, but couldn't find a definite answer. Their ideas were it was a rack number or maybe like a legion post or something. I was just curious if anyone over here has seen anything like it?

It's a all correct 43 WRA, serial 1.36. This rifle has been in a friend of mine's hands since the early 90's. And I finally talked him into selling it to me.

The interesting part to this rifle is it has a 506 stamped right behind the reciever on the heel. It is then filled in with white paint. It also has a number 30 stamped right below the rear swing swivel.

I don't think the 506 stamping is the rack number. I believe the number 30 is. But I don't know for sure.

It also has the PBS 7-44 markings on the barrel for the peninsular base section. I know there was one in Italy, and have heard of another located somewhere else. Anyone else know where it would have been? I was curious if this rifle was a pick up after D-Day.

The only thing I can think of on the 506 stamp is it's a unit stamp. Which that would be really cool as the 506th, was the unit of the Band of Brothers. It would sure be interesting to make that association!

What do you guys think?



I think this number 30 is the rack number, not the 506.

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[Ramboueille]

Steve,

A natural first thought but somewhat hopeful. The concept is commendable but relating the 506th to Peninsular Base Shop 7 - 44, Italy doesn't wash. The 506th wasn't in Italy and by July, 1944, they were were well entrenched with the invasion of Europe in France.

PS: Nice rifle.....

[cplstevennorton]

Someone said on the other forum, there was a second PBS station, but they don't know where it was. I would guess there would have been something set up in France or England to repair equiptment after the D-Day invasion. As much planning as they put into that, they would have had to have a supply repair section as well I would think. But I don't know if it they called it the PBS, or by some other name. I know there was a repair section in Australia as well, but it wasn't a PBS, it was another name.

Does anyone know the second location of the PBS, that might tell us a little more about the 506 stamp? I guess too, the stock might not be original to the rifle. Bubba might have switched it, or it got switched while still in service.

[Tom-M]

I would bet it is a rack #. I have seen plenty so marked there. The other # is a rack# as well. Just depended on the type of rack being used, and what the officer in charge wanted done.

[paul1440]

PBS means Peninsular Base Section and a Base Section would, among other responsibilities, gather battle-worn equipment or battle-damaged equipment and repair it. There was only one PBS (in Italy). There were other Base Sections, I used to have a list of them. So that barrel, at least, and maybe the whole rifle went through some sort of depot level repair in Italy in August, 1944. I have a SA 12-42 barrel with a PBS 10-44 stamp on it. The various PBS sub-units were all over the place but mostly near Naples.

What other markings are on the barrel?

I have no idea what the 506 means but given the PBS on the barrel and assuming that the barrel is original to the receiver (that maybe a big assumption regardless of how correct the rifle may seem) I highly doubt it has anything to do with the 506th PIR.

[cplstevennorton]

No other markings on the barrel that I can see. I haven't taken the top handguard off yet. But will do that probably this weekend. I don't know if anything would be under there or not.

[browningautorifle]

The barrel should be marked D35448W.R.A. under the handguard.

[cplstevennorton]

The barrel should be marked D35448W.R.A. under the handguard.

I mean as far as rebuild marks. I've seen some WWII rebuild marks put under the rear handguard.