The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-12
SPRINGFIELD GUNS
NOT ON MARKET
ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT SAYS
HOWEVER THAT SALE OF SWISS
RIFLES IMPORTED TO UNITED
STATES CANNOT DE PROHIBITED

According to letter received yesterday
by United States Marshal P. NJ Long
from the war department in answer tt
the petition sent several days ago, 1t APP
pears that the sale of obsolete Spring
field army guns has already been pro-
hibited by that department. The letter
states that the war department has nc
made high-power rifles that are being
sold by dealers all over the country 1t
also states that the present sales of
Springfield rifles are being made from
supplies of the guns which were bought
before the order OF the SECRETARY OF war
prohibiting their sale and that these guns
can be sold now under the law, but when
the supply is exhausted dealers will not
be able to obtain more.
The letter explains Itself and is as fol-
lows:
Mr.. P. M. Long. United States Marshal,
Birmingham, Ala.
Sir-1. Referring to the petition under
date of June 1s, 1910. signed by your
self and other citizens OF Birmingham,
Ala, addressed to the secretary Of war,
requesting that proper steps be taken
to stop the sale of obsolete rifles, %. o.
37152-2 PAID, which was referred to this of
flee for reply, l am directed by the
chief of ordnance to inform you that j
is obvious that this department has, and
can have, no control over the sale OF
Swiss rifles, or any others not originally
owned by this government
g. With reference to the sale of OBJ
solete United States Springfield rifles
the sales of such rifles to dealers was
forbidden by an order of the secretary OF
war, In March, 1909. and the sale of the
rifles restricted to individuals of known
standing who desired the arms for their
own use, and agreed not to dispose OF
them to others. The only sales made
since that date have been made under
these restrictions, and the number sold
Is comparatively small
3. At various times previous to the
restrictions placed upon these sales by
the secretary of war, sales of condemned
and obsolete rifles were made by this
department in conformity with existing
law, and the custom Heretofore fol-
lowed in the disposal OF such materia.
No sales to dealers have been made
however since such sales were prohibit
ed by the direction of the secretary OF
war referred to. The dealers who pur-
chased arms prior to the prohibition of
such sales have placed the arms so
purchased upon the market, and this is
unquestionably the source from which
the Springfield rifles referred to in the
petition were procured.
4. 1t will be noted In this connection,
according to numerous advertisements In
the daily papers throughout the coun-
try that quantities of high-power maya
zine rifles of foreign make have been
imported into this country, and are Of
fered for unrestricted sale at prices which
allow of their general purchase by peo-
pie of small means. 1t will be seen,
therefore, that rifles manufactured by
this department are not the only ones
procurable by people generally. and that
the cessation of the sale of condemned
and obsolete weapons by this department
does not close the source from which ef-
ficient arms can be procured cheaply
5. This department. of course, Is without
authority to restrict the sale of foreign
arms. or United States arms sold to deal
ers prior to the orders directing the dis
continuance of such sales.
6. The petition being signed by num-
erous persons, this office has addressed
this communication to yourself, being the
first signer, and II is requested that the
information herein contained be COM
municated to the remaining slgners, SO
far as practicable. Respectfully
w. G. PIERCE,
1t. Col, Ord. Dept. T.. s. A.