ChromeArty
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Sunshine Coast (PR)
I'm am just curious as to the purpose of the LE butt disk, and why so many were removed?
Thanks
Thanks
Lee Enfield Butt Disk
- Thread starter ChromeArty
- Start date
The purpose was to mark the rifle as part of a particular unit.
Why were they removed or swapped with blank ones ? I can't give a clear answer but it may stem from the fact of hiding unit information from the enemy if the rifle was captured or that the British weren't stamping unit markings to facilitate easy transfer of weapons between units.
Why were they removed or swapped with blank ones ? I can't give a clear answer but it may stem from the fact of hiding unit information from the enemy if the rifle was captured or that the British weren't stamping unit markings to facilitate easy transfer of weapons between units.
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
One should also keep in mind the casualty rate in WW1. There were literaly mountains of rifles picked up on the battlefield, overhauled and re-issued.
Now since all soldiers wore either brass or cloth shoulder titles, not giving info to the enemy by deleting the discs is rather a weak argument. Perhaps it was simply a cost saving thing.
Now since all soldiers wore either brass or cloth shoulder titles, not giving info to the enemy by deleting the discs is rather a weak argument. Perhaps it was simply a cost saving thing.
The purpose of the disc was unit identification. The unit name or other designation wasstamped on the disc and retained as long as the rifle was with that unit. NEWFOUNDLAND-issued rifles were marked "NFLD", for example. I have seen a couple, both being 'bring-backs' which the Army managed to lose after the March into Cologne. (Just amazing how a bottle of rum or $5 could persuade theArmourer to use that long, long screwdriver for a couple of minutes, especially if you had already turned in a 'spare' rifle.)
When rifles went in for overhaul, back into store, or FTR, the butt disc was removedand either faced off and reinstalled blank, or replaced with a blank disc which then would be marked to the next unit using the rifle.
Very simple, and much easier and cheaper than replacing the entire stock (as would have been necessary with the Ross) or the front band ('88 Mauser..... and it would upset the bedding at the same time) or the buttplate (Martini-Henry) or something like that. Worked.
Hope this helps.
.
When rifles went in for overhaul, back into store, or FTR, the butt disc was removedand either faced off and reinstalled blank, or replaced with a blank disc which then would be marked to the next unit using the rifle.
Very simple, and much easier and cheaper than replacing the entire stock (as would have been necessary with the Ross) or the front band ('88 Mauser..... and it would upset the bedding at the same time) or the buttplate (Martini-Henry) or something like that. Worked.
Hope this helps.
.
Actually, that's an interesting point, as neither have I, until this discussion below. Although, I guess it's not technically an "issue" rifle, but I'm not sure what it is.
Long Branch Experimental Serial # EX2http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=31316
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
Regards,
Doug
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
Ross. they simply barred out the stamped unit designation on the stock. I have one that must have been issued to damm near every unit in the Canadian army
Cheaper than a new stock anyway, John.
When the Brits issued our rifles, they stamped them on the metal...... when they bothered to stamp anything at all. RMLI appears to have stamped SOME Rosses with issue locations: PLY for PLYmouth, CRB for Crombie, PHAB for Priddy's Hard. Likely there are others, but I can't afford to buy them all so I can check.
Be interesting to see a photo of your stock, John. Mine is marked only to 16 Battalion (Canadian Scots) and to the Chilean Navy.
.
When the Brits issued our rifles, they stamped them on the metal...... when they bothered to stamp anything at all. RMLI appears to have stamped SOME Rosses with issue locations: PLY for PLYmouth, CRB for Crombie, PHAB for Priddy's Hard. Likely there are others, but I can't afford to buy them all so I can check.
Be interesting to see a photo of your stock, John. Mine is marked only to 16 Battalion (Canadian Scots) and to the Chilean Navy.
.
I have one of those in my collection ….
It was the first Ross I ever bought and at the time, never realized what the significance of the butt markings meant.
1916 M10 Mk. III Ross Rifle (Marked to 16th Battalion C.E.F.)http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=142-1916-Mk.-III-Ross-Rifle-(Marked-to-16th-Battalion-C.E.F.)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
Regards,
Doug
