What's in there?

[Francis Marion]

Ever taken a flashlight and inspected the stock compartment of your Garand, Enfield, Springfield? 
Well, I did and found some interesting items. 
In an M1903A3 was a draw-string cleaning tool,  (looks like it's never even been used, as did the rifle, when I bought it)  complete with parkerized slotted tip and waxed pull string.  Why hadn't I noticed it before- I'd had the door open before and it never fell out.  The reason was that the string, stiffened by the wax, had a slight purchase against the stock interior, and would not fall out of its own weight.  Couldn't hide from the flashlight though. 
So now, curiousity piqued, I inspect the rest of the bunch, finding:
*An antiquated cotton cloth patch inside a #4 Enfield, also wouldn't fall out of its own weight, (put it right back where Tommy Atkins left it)
*A soldier's name and address (I think) clamped between the buttplate and stock of a K-31.  I must write Herr Zuber a letter and tell him that his rifle says "hello" and is being treated well. 
Your service rifle belonged to somebody once; you might be surprised what personal effects or items they may have left inside.    Just because nothing's ever fallen out before doesn't mean it's empty.

[Old Dog]

Yup,  those little string/brush/patch cleaning rigs along with a nickle plated brass oiler were used in the 03's and US Enfields.   I have one in each of mine.  The nickle plated ones have a little leather button on one end.  Seems like someone told me one time they were for but I don't remember now.  Later on they went to a plastic oiler and that's what I put in my M1's.

I don't know if I'd really suggest trying to use the string rig these days.  Many years ago (when mine were only about 50 years old I attempted to use one and the string broke.  The strings (original ones anyway) are about 20 years older now and you have to get a rod to push the brush/patch back out of the barrel.

You could find a suitable replacement string I suppose. 

That old stuff sure is neat.

[cannonman61]

I always check the butt traps of rifle I buy.

In the 1980's I worked at a gunshop in Canton Ohio, The loading Bench. I learned then from a customer, that many of the older guys used the traps as "piggy banks" their wives didn't know about.

I found money rolled in several rifles over the year. In 1993 I bought an nice 1903A3 for $225 from a pawnshop here in Hinesville. When I got home I checked the trap and found $500 rolled up! That purchase was a real winner! 

So check your butt traps fellas. It could pay off big time!

CM61

[Old Dog]

I guess that serves the wife (on kids) right for pawning dad's old rifle when he passed away (hard to believe a guy would pawn his own rifle with money in it).

I guess storing it in the butt trap is better than the story that gunwriter (Outdoor Life I think) told about hiding $100 bills from his wife in the barrels of an old 20 ga. double barrel in the gun cabinet.  He forgot about the money when he got excited about an opportunity to show the rifle off while pheasant hunting with some buddies and shot both barrels in rapid succession before he realized what was causing all the extra confetti floating down on the cornfield.

[cannonman61]

Ewwwwww! 

I feel his pain!   

[Frenchie]

So check your butt traps fellas. It could pay off big time!

CM61

Am I the only one who thinks that, in this thread, we need to make sure to add "a rifle's" to every line like this?