Drawing numbers on parts??

[karl schmidt]

I figure the early parts were numbered since the Garand was a radical new gun (thought sure to fail by many) and quality control and tracking was vital. Was there an official directive to number the parts? an official directive to stop the drawing numbers? Or did production increase so dramatically that the manufacturers just gradually give up?

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[JGaynor]

Not ever minor part had a drawing number stamped on it. Drawing numbers formed the core of the stock numbers used throughout the military supply system. So wile a tiny pin or spring might not bear a number the package it came in probably did.

Regards,
Jim

[Johnny Peppers]

The M1 Rifle came along in the hay day of the drawing numbers. Many of the 1903 Springfield parts started to show up with drawing numbers around the mid 1930's, and the then new M1 Rifle got most of the parts marked even though there was only one maker of the rifle. Production was low, and marking the parts was not a large hindrance to production. As WWII came on the horizon and production was speeded up, more and more drawing numbers were dropped from small parts, as it was just another step in the manufacturing process that could be dropped.

During the production of the Model 1911A1 pistol no drawing numbers at all were used on any of the parts even though there were five manufacturers. The only part I am aware of that was ever marked with the drawing number was a replacement barrel, and it was manufactured by Springfield Armory.

While none of the Model 1911A1 parts were marked with the drawing number, something as inconsequential as a cleaning rod and the L shaped screwdriver were marked with the drawing number.

[karl schmidt]

Thank you JP

[RCS]

The drawing number on the M1 stock D28293 was discontinued by the end of 1939

Very early Winchester parts did not have the W.R.A. stamp and could be confused with SA parts, example is this Winchester safety