SRS for WW2?

[ConfederateCanuck]

Hi.

I know some of you ACW collectors also collect guns from the subsequent wars. I am wondering if there is an equivalent to the SRS for World War 2 guns (or even WW1, Korea, Vietnam)? Is it possible to use a serial number to trace which unit received that specific gun? I'd like to research M1 Garands, M1 Carbines, Springfield 1903s, etc. Any other references/websites?

 

[UCVRelics]

The SRS runs thru WW2.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Hi.

I know some of you ACW collectors also collect guns from the subsequent wars. I am wondering if there is an equivalent to the SRS for World War 2 guns (or even WW1, Korea, Vietnam)? Is it possible to use a serial number to trace which unit received that specific gun? I'd like to research M1 Garands, M1 Carbines, Springfield 1903s, etc. Any other references/websites?

Yes, Springfield Research Service

 

[JOHN42768]

Just remember a very, very small percentage of firearms manufactured are listed in the SRS and rather vague info for a lot of those listed.

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

Good to know, guys....thanks!

 

[Lead Snowstorm]

Some of the folks on the CMP forums do FOIA requests, although I get the impression that most don't turn up much of interest. You never know until you look.

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

Some of the folks on the CMP forums do FOIA requests, although I get the impression that most don't turn up much of interest. You never know until you look.

Mi no gringo americano........therefore no ability to FOIA.

 

[johan_steele]

Hi.

I know some of you ACW collectors also collect guns from the subsequent wars. I am wondering if there is an equivalent to the SRS for World War 2 guns (or even WW1, Korea, Vietnam)? Is it possible to use a serial number to trace which unit received that specific gun? I'd like to research M1 Garands, M1 Carbines, Springfield 1903s, etc. Any other references/websites?

I doubt there is any effective SRS database for WW2 small arms other than perhaps officers pistols. Soldiers were issued specific arms and expected to memorize the S/N but would often have them switched out after initial issue.

 

[Lead Snowstorm]

Mi no gringo americano........therefore no ability to FOIA.

Alas! Missed that critical info.

 

[Mk VII]

The printed books which SRS issued at one time, contain lists of M1 rifles, '03s, .45s etc. I've got the first two volumes here.

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

Do the books include M1 Carbines?

 

[Belfoured]

Mi no gringo americano........therefore no ability to FOIA.

I don't believe that the federal FOIA law requires that the requester be a "gringo americano". A lot of states also have their own FOIA laws and some I'm familiar with don't have that requirement.

 

[Mk VII]

Do the books include M1 Carbines?

No, they do not (not the first two vols anyway)

 

[UCVRelics]

Do the books include M1 Carbines?

You can get all 4 volumes on a thumb drive for $65

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

You can get all 4 volumes on a thumb drive for $65

Well, yes and no

 

[Kurt G]

Several years ago I knew a man who had been an armorer for the army in Europe during WW2 . He still had the brass tool he used to look down bores . He told me they dealt with piles of Garands and would cannibalize them to get them repaired . If you could find out which unit the firearm was issued to that doesn't mean it didn't get re-issued later .

 

[ConfederateCanuck]

Several years ago I knew a man who had been an armorer for the army in Europe during WW2 . He still had the brass tool he used to look down bores . He told me they dealt with piles of Garands and would cannibalize them to get them repaired . If you could find out which unit the firearm was issued to that doesn't mean it didn't get re-issued later .

Yes, true enough. Definitive history of a gun's whereabouts is rare, but its fun to try and find info and speculate about where its been and which units used it.