Pbs-5-44

[Loy Hamilton]

What is the true meaning of this marking? SA Receiver 1488805; SA barrel dated 2-43

Veteran of the Battle of San Pietro???

Information

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[chriskat]

My guess, Italian. Pietro Beretta S.p.A

Jeff

[KarlKW]

Your rifle was re-built in May of 1944 in Italy, I am going from distant memory here, but P.B.S. stands for Peninsula Base Supply, or Support, or some such military activity. I used to have an article on the commanding officer of this base, but I can't seem to find it. HTH, KarlKW

[latigo 1]

It stands for "Peninsular Base Section". This was the first support base established in Europe. It was first established at the Salerno beachead and later moved to Naples. It was composed of hospitals, supply, and engineering units.

[paul1440]

The PBS repaired a bunch of different items including small arms. As was said above they were the main supply point during the Italian campaign. They'd go in after a battle, collect the discarded items and then repair them. So that rifle went through the repair at the PBS in May 1944. Most likely cause to go through I think would have been damage during battle or it was worn out and rebuilt. I have a Dec. 42 barrel with PBS 10-44 stamped on it just like yours.

[Loy Hamilton]

The PBS repaired a bunch of different items including small arms. As was said above they were the main supply point during the Italian campaign. They'd go in after a battle, collect the discarded items and then repair them. So that rifle went through the repair at the PBS in May 1944. Most likely cause to go through I think would have been damage during battle or it was worn out and rebuilt. I have a Dec. 42 barrel with PBS 10-44 stamped on it just like yours.

Thanks Paul

The receiver and barrel came as a combo from CMP, so I assume they most likely are original to each other; at least since 5-44?

[paul1440]

Hard to say if they are original to each other. Just because it came from the CMP doesn't add to the argument. But if the finish looks like they match then there is a good chance they've been together since then. The SN indicates April 1943 and the barrel is 2-43 so they are likely original. I think that the PBS stamp then means that the combo was used to rebuild a new rifle with other parts in May 1944, rather than the barrel replaced on the receiver.

If you know your history about the Italian campaign the Allies were fighting hard to break the last line of defense before Rome and out of the Anzio area. Makes you wonder if your receiver/barrel was involved in the previous fighting, and then remade into a new rifle right then a there. You can never prove it but it would also be in the realm of strong possibility. Also makes you wonder about the previous user. If the rifle got that messed up to be sent back for major repair/rebuild chances are the user did too, or worse.

[Loy Hamilton]

Hard to say if they are original to each other. Just because it came from the CMP doesn't add to the argument. But if the finish looks like they match then there is a good chance they've been together since then. The SN indicates April 1943 and the barrel is 2-43 so they are likely original. I think that the PBS stamp then means that the combo was used to rebuild a new rifle with other parts in May 1944, rather than the barrel replaced on the receiver.

If you know your history about the Italian campaign the Allies were fighting hard to break the last line of defense before Rome and out of the Anzio area. Makes you wonder if your receiver/barrel was involved in the previous fighting, and then remade into a new rifle right then a there. You can never prove it but it would also be in the realm of strong possibility. Also makes you wonder about the previous user. If the rifle got that messed up to be sent back for major repair/rebuild chances are the user did too, or worse.

This photo is of a PBS, General Patton inspecting...



This one is from Iwo Jima; lot of lonesome M1's here too...

[Minnesota Joe]

I have a SA Garand with a Winchester barrel bearing the same stamp -- same month and year, too. Cool to see and hear of another one that underwent repair at the same location and time as my own. I remember looking into where the Peninsular Base Section would have been in May of 1944 and seem to recall that it was in Naples by then. Someone out there will likely be able to confirm same.