"...The Young Man Who Had It Says He Bought It On the Street...."

[John Beard]

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICE
CITY OF NEW HAVEN, CONN

PHILIP T. SMITH
CHIEF

C. 1261

Chief Ordnance Officer
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-

We have under investigation the case of a young man who was arrested in this city May 14th, 1934 having in his possession the following described rifle,

U. S. SPRINGFIELD

MODEL 1903

No. 900008.

We think that this rifle may have been stolen from somewhere, as the young man who had it says he bought it on the street from another man whom he did not know.

If you can trace this gun, kindly let me know at your earliest convenience. Thanking you.

Very truly yours

s/s Philip T. Smith

Chief of Police

JJD
db

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[John Beard]

ELK/cgb

May 17th, 1934-

Philip T. Smith,
Chief of Police
City of New Haven, Conn.

Dear Sir:

I am directed by the Chief of Ordnance to reply to your letter of May 15th, 1934, file number O.O. 474.1/6327 wherein, you request infomration as to the identity of U.S. Rifle, calibre .30 [sic] Model 1903 bearing serial #900008.

You are informed that this rifle was reported under date of March 21st, 1933 as having been lost by the Professor of Military Science and Tactics, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.

In view of the above information it is requested that after this rifle has served its purpose as evidence in any case pending under your jurisdiction that it be reported for disposition to the Ordnance Officer, Second Corps Area, Governors Island, N.Y.

Very truly yours,

R.S. Chavin,
Major, Ord. Dept.,
Assistant.

Copy furnished:
2nd Corps Area

[John Beard]

COO 474.1/232-

May 24, 1934
CW/ah

Chief of Police,
City of New Haven,
Conn.

Dear Sir:

With reference to your letter of May 24, 1934 regarding U. S. rifle, cal..30, Model 1903 No. 900008-Springfield, your file C-1261, COO 474.1/232-2, in which you requested disposition of the arm, enclosed herewith is Government express bill of lading WQ 758607 to cover the shipment to the Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory, Springfield, Mass.

It is requested that the rifle be shipped to the Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory, Springfield, Mass. The markings on the box should be as on the bill of lading. The box should then be taken to the Agent of the Railway Express Agency with the bill of lading. The Agent will retain the salmon colored copy as his shipping order. Please obtain his signature in the space provided on all copies of the bill of lading, and return same to this office.

Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated very much.

Yours very truly,

L. D. BOOTH,
Lt. Col., Ord.Dept.,
Ordnance Officer.

1 encl. B/L.
Copy to CO SPG

[John Beard]

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS AREA
OFFICE OF THE ORDNANCE OFFICER
GOVERNORS ISLAND, NEW YORK

COO 474.1/232-6

May 24, 1934
CW/ah

SUBJECT: U. S. rifle, cal..30, Model 1903 No. 900008-SA.

TO: Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory, Springfield, Mass.

1. Enclosed herewith is copy of letter to the Chief of Police, City of New Haven, Conn. regarding the shipment to your establishment of one rifle, U.S. cal..30, Model 1903 No. 900008-SA. This rifle was originally at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., and some years ago was reported as having been stolen. As the condition of the rifle is not known, it is being directed turned in to your establishment, and as there will be no shipping ticket furnished, it is requested that same be taken up on your property account and this office furnished with two copies of the debit voucher for the serial number files of this office and the Chief of Ordnance.

L. D. BOOTH,
Lt. Col, Ord.Dept.,
Ordnance Officer.

1 encl.

[John Beard]

COO 474.1/232-6
S.A. 474.1/585

ELB/aag

1st Ind.

Springfield Armory, Mass., June 4, 1934. To: Ordnance Officer, Hq. 2nd Corps Area, Governors Island, New York.

1. Receipt is reported on May 29, 1934, per Receiving Report No. 1451, copies inclosed, from the Chief of Police, New Haven, Conn., of one (1) U.S. Rifle, Cal..30, M1903, No. 900008-SA and one (1) Gunsling, M1907, Leather. The rifle was received with the stock cut off as far as lower band and the hand guard, assembly, was missing. Rifle will be overhauled and placed in stock.

2. A government B/L No. 758607 covering shipment has been received from Corps Area Quartermaster, with letter No. 552.02 (S.A. 552/396). The transportation charges amounted to eighty-six cents ($0.86).

s/s T. J. Smith

T. J. SMITH
Lt-Col., Ordnance Department,
Commanding.

2 Incls.
Incl #1 n/c
RR in dupl. added.

[John Beard]

COO 474.1/232-6
CW/ah

2nd Ind.

HQ., 2ND CORPS AREA, O. of O.O., Gov. Isl., N.Y., June 12, 1934 - To Chief of Ordnance, Washington, D. C.

1. Copy of receiving report enclosed herewith for your information.

s/s L. D. Booth

L. D. BOOTH
Lt. Col., Ord.Dept.
Ordnance Officer

2 encls.

[Bill Hollinger]

Thanks for all these John. Very neat. Now, who has that serial numbered rifle???

[Rick the Librarian]

My thoughts exactly - on both counts!

[Griff Murphey]

If they found a stolen M-16 today, would the Army or gu'mint bother to have it returned or would they request the LE agency to scrap it???

[Bill Hollinger]

I found one at Camp SLO and they were chomping to get it back. I wonder who died because of that F up? Someone left it leaning up against a live fire house out by the MOUT.