Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive

Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive
General >> Older threads >> New to Krags http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1338315475 Message started by jpb1 on May 29^th, 2012 at 6:17pm

Title: New to Krags
Post by jpb1 on May 29^th, 2012 at 6:17pm

Hi all,

I am new to Krags, I've just purchased a 1897 rifle, serial numbers are for later fiscal yr.

Overall nice rifle -presently in transit, will post photos soon.

My questions is regarding how can one find out who/unit/what every it was issued to?

Is there military or armory records related to these serial numbers?

thanks in advance

JP

Title: Re: New to Krags
Post by Dick Hosmer on May 29^th, 2012 at 7:03pm

Welcome!

As to your question about usage, the answer is yes and no, odds of getting a "hit" in the extant records are about 20-1 against. Your number can be checked here, whenever you wish to share it.

Title: Re: New to Krags
Post by jpb1 on May 30^th, 2012 at 3:51pm

Hi Dick - we you never know what you may find...

Here's the serial No.: 61969

Rifle in transit, should get here in about a week

Will post photos once arrives

Cheers

JP

Title: Re: New to Krags
Post by Dick Hosmer on May 30^th, 2012 at 4:05pm

In 1898, Model 1896 Rifle number 61970 was with Company "E" of the 49th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, but location and a more specific date were not recorded.

Yours is not listed, and, it should not be assumed that usage was the same - though it is safe to say that it almost certainly saw SAW service of some sort.

Title: Re: New to Krags
Post by jpb1 on May 30^th, 2012 at 5:55pm

thanks Dick that is interesting facts to know

I am looking at getting a kit together for re-enacting here in Honolulu, as during the late 1890's it was a very interesting time for Hawaii with the USA being 'newly' based to access the Philippines as well as the annexation of the kingdom of Hawaii

Cheers

JP

Title: Re: New to Krags
Post by jpb1 on May 31^st, 2012 at 5:40pm

Dick is it possible to give the next closest number below? You given one above - not finding the precise match; it all get s very interesting....

I am trying to see if the possibility that the rifle in question did get to the unit.....

cheers

JP

Title: Re: New to Krags
Post by Dick Hosmer on May 31^st, 2012 at 7:48pm

Yes, it was 61960, but the citation was to a different unit.

I hate to be unkind, since you are new to this, but absolutely zero ID value should be placed on a close (even consecutive) number, as they were not treated in order, at any phase beyond the guy who was numbering receivers.

In other words, a miss is as good as a mile. In fact, if a consecutive number is not listed, it almost assures that the arm was not with the cited unit!

Title: Re: New to Krags
Post by jpb1 on May 31^st, 2012 at 11:14pm

thanks Dick
-understand what mean
Cheers

JP