Early M1903 marked with "TENN"

[Rick the Librarian]

A close friend got very lucky and found a completely original M1903 - #160,864 with an SA 05 barrel and BHM one-bolt stock. On the top of the "small" of the stock is a faint, but discernible "TENN". Ships' markings have been reported on a number of M1903s over the years, but, to my knowledge, never one in this position, usually on the buttstock. I wondered if anyone had any comments on this.

Since the rifle appears to be in the condition it was in the early 1900s, I also have a theory about which "Tennessee" this may have been assigned to. Most of us are aware of the battleship Tennessee [BB43] which was at Pearl Harbor. However, the ship was not completed until 1919 and I am thinking that any M1903 on that ship would have been modified at least to WWI standards. I've also seen at least a couple of "TENN"-marked M1903s of a later vintage that have the markings on the buttstock.

Not so well-known was the earlier Tennessee [ACR10], which was an armored cruiser and was in service from 1906 to 1922. The name was changed in 1916 to use the name for BB43. Shortly after the name-change, the Memphis (as it was now known), was hit by a rogue wave off Santo Domingo and the ship had to be abandoned. (The commanding officer was Capt. Edward Beach, father of the Edward Beach who served as a sub commander during WWII and wrote the novel Run Silent, Run Deep.)

Here is a picture of the markings - there is also a "107" on the stock, which is probably a rack number. I am wondering if this rifle could have been assigned to the earlier ship. It I not listed on SRS.

249 - Copy (1024x315).jpg

Here is a picture of the Tennessee (ACR10):

USS_Tennessee_(ACR-10).jpg

[Fred]

Very Interesting Rick!

[RCS]

This rifle was found at a small gun show in GA about 10 or 12 years ago, the seller stated that it
came from the CMP storeP1010047.jpgP1010049.jpgP1010064_0054_054.jpgP1010067_0057_057.jpg

[Rick the Librarian]

Interesting - the lettering does look the same, but I could see this being on the "later" Tennessee, given the serial number. The "earlier" one was, in effect, out of service after 1916, although not officially stricken until 1922.

[RCS]

This stock has the W.E.S. cartouche and a later two stock bolt stock

First stock on SA 825055 was a D.A.L. cartoucheP1010032_0028_028.jpg

[Smokeeaterpilot]

Rick? Where do you find these gems? That is just dripping with rich history. Absolutely amazing too bad not an SRS hit.

I like the picture of the crusier

[Rick the Librarian]

Not my rifle (although I wish it was). A local friend got it. All original, $699!

[Smokeeaterpilot]

Rick,

I think I need to follow some of you guys around at a gun show. Maybe I'll get some of your "backsplash" of good luck!

[Rick the Librarian]

Years ago, I got a reputation of always putting back down on a gunshow table the rifle I SHOULD have bought! The crowds following me got to really be a nuisance!!

[Shooter5]

Nice! Very intriguing! Probably on to something. I have a soft spot for Tennessee since I've been stationed there several times; its also my daughters middle name! I wrote the State Historian once and asked if they had BB43 records for small arms inventory and unfortunately they did not.