Early follower rods

[RCS]

some early follower rods that use the comp spring

anyone notice something different (and its not repro either)

[GBA]

Wow Robert, that's a tough one. The only thing that I can see is that the fourth down from the top is machined a tad longer from the step that holds the spring. It doesn't look like much, maybe 20-30 thousandths. Also a couple of other minute differences. So I say the odd one is the fourth down.

[Jersey Devil]

The bottom one appears to be a Winchester.

[RCS]

Bottom follower rod is Winchester, has the same type of serrations as the Winchester follower rods that are unmarked, A or CM marked. Only a few have been seen to date, both
E.O. and early production rifles used the them.

[Jersey Devil]

Here's another WRA Type 1 follower rod.

[RCS]

Who manufactured the follower rod in your photo ?

[Jersey Devil]

Who manufactured the follower rod in your photo ?

As far as I know, Winchester did. Why? Do you think it's a fake?

[RCS]

Ask Bodyman, long considered to be an expert on early Winchester parts

[Jersey Devil]

Ask Bodyman, long considered to be an expert on early Winchester parts

Thanks Robert.

Bodyman,
What say you, Sir!??

[Bodyman]

I do love the early stuff from both makers, but I would say I am more just a serious student of the subject. Actually I thought that was Bob's theory there on that part and that he laid it out clearly but are you seeing something wrong with it, Bob? It looks pretty nice but I wasn't aware if anyone was faking these from scratch.

[RCS]

Back in the late 90's, Jerry Collyard from MN, was using repro Winchester follower rods with fake springs on his Winchester restorations. Sometimes he even used later flat Winchester follower rods to retain the Winchester serrations. he had to weld the round body in a jig to the Winchester section. The boys in Calif have made fake follower rods for awhile too. For the past few years with all the new gas trap kits and repro keystone & comp springs available there has been a market for repro gas trap era follower rods and they are around. Would you be surprised if some were faked in the east coast?

I don't like the serrations on the follower rod in the photo, not deep enough for Winchester. Could you measure the width of the serration area and the width of the serration cuts ?

It is possible that a repro Springfield follower rod was altered, but I could be wrong and it would not be the first time!

[Jersey Devil]

Back in the late 90's, Jerry Collyard from MN, was using repro Winchester follower rods with fake springs on his Winchester restorations. Sometimes he even used later flat Winchester follower rods to retain the Winchester serrations. he had to weld the round body in a jig to the Winchester section. The boys in Calif have made fake follower rods for awhile too.

Like this one?

http://www.m1garandforum.com/forums/knowledge/real-or-reproduction/4782-fake-wra-type-1-follower-rod

[RCS]

There are more fake Winchester follower rods for the comp & keystone spring than there are originals, that are available for collectors. Some collectors use the Springfield follower rod and include the story that Winchester used them in the E O rifles - The highest serial number of a known original Winchester with comp & keystone springs is just over 102xxx that I have in my data

Photo shows 100931 with original Winchester follower rod

[Jersey Devil]

Great info, as usual, Robert.

I'll withhold any further info on the WRA follower rod that I posted, as the owner can feel free to chime in if he sees fit. I don't collect WRA parts or rifles, and have passed this part on to a WRA collector.

[Reconinforce]

How can I tell if it's a WRA Rod vs others? Picked one up and wanted to make sure. Has the punch mark also.