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WTK: Meaning of 506 stamp on WRA/GHD stock
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01-01-2011 05:06 PM
# ADS
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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.....
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Advisory Panel
The barrel should be marked D35448W.R.A. under the handguard.
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Legacy Member
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.
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