"Bataan" M1903s from Federal Ordnance from 1991 - ad

[Rick the Librarian]

The rifle I mentioned was about 9 years ago. But I'll keep your kind gesture in mind if something like that comes up again.

[can14&]

The issues we had going to the Philippines was: no one could decide if it was lend lease military aid or
did they pay for it. While that was happening they were chopping up the samples! The US military was
getting them good saws to cut it in three pieces. The Crown of Canada had no issues with what we wanted,
just pay the landing taxes! They paid for a lot of it, but two years of trips and no decisions,we gave up.

[Rick the Librarian]

The M1917s going to the Philippines were "sold" to the Commonwealth government (admittedly for a very good price). The Philippine Scouts were still a part of the U.S. Army, so they were issued equipment and weapons, just like any other unit.

[Calif-Steve]

FedOrd was well known for "puffery". They sold a lot of guns, parts and baloney. They had a pile of Argentine 98's and I wanted one. I went through the entire store and did not find a decent keeper. Not over-priced, either, but no keepers. I did buy a '03 high number receiver from the PI stash.

[enbloc8]

During the Clinton administration The arsenal at Anniston Ala. had the grinders working full blast for months until Congress shut the operation down. A gentleman that was a honcho there, often mentioned on the old Culver page by the name Orest I believe said he had no choice. They would bring him a truckload and into the grinders they went.

Carter was doing the same and the rumor was that under Carter hundreds of 55 gallon drums were filled with .45's most still new in box and then filled with concrete and sent to the bottom of the sea. If it's true I wonder how many Singers or USS were destroyed.

The rumor also is under Clinton after he was stopped from destroying them instead he sent thousands of M14's to the Poles. Those same M14's that we are now buying commercially so our boys in the sandboxes have something that shoots farter than the mouse gun.

They went to the Baltics, and there's more of a story to that...a former Army officer with Lithuanian roots went over to help his ancestral nation build a new army (the Soviets literally took everything when they pulled out) and he was a big proponent of the M14.

[Calif-Steve]

The full M14 story is long and odd. They actually were meant for an M14 NM program. Very long story with a nasty kick in rear ending. Yes they did end up in Baltic States, with no spare parts. Another twist in this tale.

[zambowhite]

I was fortunate enough to get a tour of warehouse 10 and 13 in Camp Aguinaldo. They still have about 50,000 Garands in unissued condition neatly stored in cages. most of the 1903s have been issued to civilian auxiliaries and are probably in bad condition due to lhumidity, lack of care etc. I heard the US JUSMAG has been trying to get the Garands back, depending on the political climate in CONUS. They also had a lot of spare parts, brand new M1 Carbine barrels and 15 round magazines and oilers.

[browningautorifle]

Welcome to the forum.

about 50,000 Garands in unissued condition

Wouldn't that be nice...

[Rick the Librarian]

I was fortunate enough to get a tour of warehouse 10 and 13 in Camp Aguinaldo. They still have about 50,000 Garands in unissued condition neatly stored in cages. most of the 1903s have been issued to civilian auxiliaries and are probably in bad condition due to lhumidity, lack of care etc. I heard the US JUSMAG has been trying to get the Garands back, depending on the political climate in CONUS. They also had a lot of spare parts, brand new M1 Carbine barrels and 15 round magazines and oilers.

Even with a more favorable administration, come January 20, with the recent strain in U.S. Philippine relations, I wouldn't hold your breath.