Look what my brother found in a closet

[ugagrad04]

Yep, General Douglas MacAurthur ordered all the Mums (Emperor's Mark) ground off the rifles that were captured. This one looks like somebody hit it with a dull punch a few times but the mark is still visible. The original bluing is still there and no grinding was done. There are still rifles out there that have no damage to the Mum though.

There is no proof to that myth.

 

[ugagrad04]

Many times if the soldiers knew they were being over-run they would use stones or whatever else was available to preserve the honor of the Emporer.

Again, another myth. Truth is no one knows 100% why they were defaced, nothing but theories.

http://www.gunboards.com/sites/banzai/featarts/mummystery/missingmum.htm
http://www.jouster.com/forums/showthread.php?65-Emperor-s-Chrysanthemum-the-Ground-Mum/page2&
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=361900
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71148

 

[dial1911]

Heck of a find there! I'm glad to hear the old rifle found a good home.

 

[45ak1911]

Cool fine

 

[trophy301]

Nice piece...be sure to contact someone on the best way to preserve its condition. Bullets during that period had corrsive primers that are best cleaned with hot soapy water first then with traditional bore cleaner. Use a brass brush ONLY if there are any rust pits!

 

[wildmantaz]

Toward the end of the war the Jap's also ground off the mum.

Great find!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TxBoyX2]

Yep, General Douglas MacAurthur ordered all the Mums (Emperor's Mark) ground off the rifles that were captured. This one looks like somebody hit it with a dull punch a few times but the mark is still visible. The original bluing is still there and no grinding was done. There are still rifles out there that have no damage to the Mum though.

That disfiguring may not be from an American soldier. The Japanese were also ordered to destroy those symbols if they were going to be captured. That maybe the marks of a Japanese bayonet. I know, dosen't really change anything, but it would make for an awesome story if that were the case.

 

[rugerceltics13]

very cool

 

[WMSproject]

The stories behind the disfiguring of the MUM mark is the generally accepted reality but I have no "Documentation" that proves it. Also, this thread was supposed to be celebrating a cool find, not getting bogged down arguing about "Myths" with people. Thanks for the comments.

 

[Triathloncoach]

just what this country needs, another assualt rifle you should turn it in for destruction.