The CMP Mann Accuracy Devices Steven T. Rutledge I first became aware of the “Mann Accuracy Device” when it was mentioned in Lt. Col. William S. Brophy’s THE SPRINGFIELD 1903 RIFLES. They are mentioned and photographs can be found on pages 226 and 227. At first glance, these devices actually look like a silencer or suppressor fitted to a 1903 action. At the time, I regarded them as a curiosity of another time. Fast forward to the present day and I found myself as a volunteer at the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Anniston facility. It was the second time that I had volunteered at Anniston. My first trip involved the Inspection and Repair of M1 rifles, sorting receivers and general labor. On this particular trip, I met Lynn Meredith who was visiting for the first time. Dr. Greg Condon of Memphis had driven down with me and we were ready for work. Well, that’s what we got. CMP Deputy Director Orest Michaels had a large pallet of “1903 rifles” that required sorting. This was at the time that the Army had given the CMP a number of 1903 rifles that were individually wrapped and cataloged. You might recall that these rifles were sold in a lottery. What we had to deal with was NOT this group of rifles. We were looking at every conceivable combination of barreled receiver as well as some rifles with stocks. It wasn’t pretty. They were apparently tossed in a large 100 rifle pallet with little thought as to our comfort and working conditions. We all jumped on the project with enthusiasm, especially Lynn, as he is a long-time collector of the M1903 and one of the most knowledgeable folks on the subject that I personally know. As we were getting our hands dirty and backs sore, someone (I don’t remember who), pulled out what looked like an action with a silencer on it!!!! We all just stood there and looked at it. I think Lynn and I came to a realization as to what it might be almost simultaneously. Neither of us had ever seen one, in person so to speak. We crowded around it, totally awed by this piece of history. Later, as I recall, we found another one. We told Orest what we found and the significance, in our estimation, of the devices. He thought an auction was in order. When I returned home, I attempted to learn more about the Mann Accuracy Devices with little success. It seems that most of the useful information is contained in Brophy’s book. There is some mention of them in other references, but nothing substantial that I was able to find. The two that we found were auctioned off to some lucky individual and my interest in the Mann Devices went on the back burner of my mind. I subsequently retired and moved from Memphis to Orlando, FL and was unable to continue my visits to the CMP. Fortunately, just after the first of the year, Orest Michaels contacted me and reported that several of the Mann Devices were delivered to the CMP by the Army. He asked me if I would take a look at them and write an article about what I found. He didn’t have to twist my arm!!!!! After clearing a week with my wife, I was off to the CMP in Anniston in late April. If you have never visited the CMP’s Anniston facility, I would highly recommend it. It is an incredible place. The staff is first class and they do a great job. Be prepared to work though. If you think they are going to let you stand around all day and caress all the beautiful rifles they have on hand, think again. You might find yourself Inspecting and Repairing rifles or simply sorting clip latches.  But, let’s get back to the matter at hand. Orest had three pallets of Mann Devices. A quick inspection revealed calibers of .30 carbine, .30 (30-06), 7.62MM and .22 Hornet!!!!  Before I attempt to describe what I saw, a brief explanation of what the Mann Device is in order. In my opinion, these devices are collector items. They are a valuable piece of history of special interest to the collector of U. S. Military weapons. They are not something that one would purchase to build a rifle from. At the current price, you could buy a complete rifle for the price of a Mann Device. Plus, you would be destroying a rare example of U. S. Ordnance history. I mention this because I have seen many questions from folks who wonder what they would do with one of the beauties. Basically, the Mann Device is a special barrel screwed into a 1903 or 1903A3 receiver. The barrel generally has a collar on it that apparently facilitates securing it in a device for actual use. The stocks are cut down to a pistol-grip configuration. Some of the bolts are numbered to the receivers. Not all of them. There are no sights on the barrel. All of the barrels were made by Remington, Douglas and Walker. Most of us are familiar with the first two manufacturers. I have never heard of Walker. Maybe someone can fill in that part of the story. Joe Malinowski of the CMP was able to help me take some excellent photographs, which will give you a better idea of what the devices look like. Some of the markings can also be seen. I will attempt to describe each of these three categories and provide some comments. .22 Hornet Devices I had to think a second about the .22 Hornet Devices. Then I recalled stories I heard from a family friend who was an active-duty U. S. Air Force pilot. He flew B-47s for the Strategic Air Command in the 50s and 60s. He was stationed at McCoy AFB outside of Orlando where we lived.  I was interested in anything he had to say about his job and drove him crazy with various questions when he visited our home. I vividly remember him talking about his survival gear and a .22 rifle. He described the rifle as a “Hornet.” I have since learned that SAC did in fact have .22 Hornet rifles as part of their gear. In fact, one configuration involved an over/under shotgun. This is the only particular use of this round in the U. S. Military that I am familiar with but there may have been other applications. There were only nine of the .22 Hornet devices on hand. The first thing I noticed was the 14” barrel. Any rifle with a barrel less than 16” is an NFA or restricted weapon under federal law. I had hopes that the CMP could figure a way around this but that is not going to be the case according to Orest Michaels. It is my understanding that the barrels will be removed and sold separately from the receivers. The Hornet devices were a mix of Remington and Smith Corona receivers. All but one had the typical cut-down, pistol grip stock. The barrels were typical of Mann Devices. I observed three different markings on the Hornet devices: 1. “cal. 22 Hornet, accuracy FF8372.” 2. “Rifle Cal. 22 M-65 accuracy FF8372.” 3. “Rifle Cal. 22 M-65 accuracy FC8184.” .30 Caliber Carbine The next Mann Devices that I inspected were in .30 Carbine. There were 43 of these. It appeared that all of them were originally packaged in a preservative wrapper with the following inscription: “Package FSN-1005-BF1-0117, Chase Bag. Co., 9/1971.” There was also wrapping material marked “Ludlow VPI Warp, April 1966.” The .30 Carbine devices were also a mix of Remington and Smith Corona 03A3 receivers with the odd 1903 receiver. There appeared to be two barrel manufacturers, Remington and Walker. The barrels were 18” long and appeared to be of stainless steel. The devices all had the same shortened stock and several of the bolts were numbered to the receivers. There were a variety of markings on the barrels. Some examples: “Rifle – Accuracy cal. 30 carb. D45850 C80597 Remington Arms Co., Ilion, NY, Made In USA F68-8601-69.” It is my opinion that “69” is the actual serial number on the barrel based on inspection of other barrels as well as a data sheet that was found with one of the barrels. “rifle accuracy cal. 30 carb D45850 30 cal. Car. Walker C407.” In this case, it appears that “C407” is the SN of the barrel. The Remington SN’s ranged from a low of 63 to a high of 198. The Walkers ranged from a low of C-342 to a high of C-346. The inscriptions on the Walker Barrels were electro-penciled while the Remingtons appeared to be stamped. CAL .30 (30-06) Devices There were only 14 of the .30 devices. These all appeared to be in excellent condition. About half of the bolts were numbered to the receivers. Interestingly, ALL of the receivers on the .30 devices were Smith Corona. One of serial numbers on these particular devices was higher than any previously recorded Smith Corona serial number. This is just another example of my personal axiom that the study of U. S. Military weapons is a continual “work in progress.” Even simpler, “never say never.” The .30 devices had barrels of Douglas and Remington manufacture. The Douglas barrels appeared to be stainless steel while the Remington barrels were blued. Markings on the barrels: “rifle accuracy cal.30 D7692088 8593305 G. R. Douglas Co., Inc. 0000086.” The last number appears to be the SN of the device. There was nothing else unusual or different about these devices as compared to the devices previously described. 7.62MM Devices There were only 15 devices chambered for this cartridge. The barrel length was approximately 21”. Manufacturers were Remington and Walker. Some of the barrel descriptions were electro-penciled, especially in the case of the Walkers. Receivers were the usual combination of Remington and Smith Corona. Barrels appeared to be stainless steel as well as blued. The drawing number on these devices was D7553790. In some instances this number was stamped on the barrel while being electro-penciled in other cases. Some of the bolts were numbered to the receivers and others were not. DATA SHEETS There were several “data sheets” found with some of the devices. These originated at the Lake City Army Ammo Plant. The sheet is a “fill in the blank” form titled “Accuracy/Pressure/Velocity Test Barrel Certification.” There is a space for the caliber that was filled in by hand or typed. The sheet contains the following information: 1. This (accuracy) (pressure) (velocity) test barrel #F68 1029 596 ________ has been dimensionally accepted in accordance with drawing specification D-7553795_____ Rev. F-2-3-64_____Amend._____(SPECIAL)____________ 2. This (accuracy) (pressure) (velocity) test barrel has been ballistically accepted, using an appraised “check lot” of ammunition. a. 100 rounds were fired through this test barrel for “wear-in” purposes. b. Total number of rounds fired for test barrel acceptance = 100 + 10. DIMENSIONAL SIGNATURE__________DATE: 2-12-70 BALLISTIC SIGNATURE______________DATE: 24 April 1970 SUMMARY It was very exciting for me to be able to examine these devices. I find them fascinating. While they are not for everyone, they are certainly one of the rarer items in the history of U. S. Military ammunition testing and small arms development. I don’t think there are many of them out there. They certainly make a very valuable addition to anyone’s U. S. Martial collection. Steven T. Rutledge Orlando, FL July 27, 2001