Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive

Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive
Firearms >> U.S. Military Krags >> "J" Cartouche along with JSA 1901 http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1476324792 Message started by CDY on Oct 13^th, 2016 at 2:13am

Title: "J" Cartouche along with JSA 1901
Post by CDY on Oct 13^th, 2016 at 2:13am

Apologies up front, but I just cant find the answer to a pretty simple question. I just purchased a 1898 Krag. On the left side, just to the left of the standard JSA 1901 cartouche is a stand alone "J". What does this mean? thanks in advance.

Title: Re: "J" Cartouche along with JSA 1901
Post by Dick Hosmer on Oct 13^th, 2016 at 3:19am

Junker? Made in Japan? Captured by Jose at San Juan?

Sorry, just couldn't resist!!!! Welcome!!!

One thing is pretty clear - it was almost certainly not applied at the Armory. Beyond that it could be almost anything that might have meant something to someone for some reason at some time in the last 120 years. A more common marking at that spot is a pair of large capital letters (HH and JJ known) next to a small Ordnance Dept. seal. No real data on that either.

Title: Re: "J" Cartouche along with JSA 1901
Post by butlersrangers on Oct 13^th, 2016 at 3:55am

'CDY' - Welcome to the KCA Forum. A picture of you stock marking would be interesting to see.

FWIW - Occasionally, a Krag stock will be seen with an extra letter, letters, or even 'crossed ordnance cannon'. It is possible these poorly understood extra marks indicate some type of 'rebuild' work (at Springfield, Benicia, Rock Island, or Manila) from 1908 to 1918. The meaning may have been lost and hopefully will one day be verified. I have yet to see anything real sure and definitive in print.

(some noted examples):

krag_C1901.jpg ( 29 KB | 0 Downloads )

krag_CA_mark_001.jpg ( 51 KB | 0 Downloads )

krag-C-mark_001.jpg ( 110 KB | 0 Downloads )

KS-A-mk_001.JPG ( 92 KB | 1 Download )

Springfield_cannon-crest_002.jpg ( 103 KB | 1 Download )

Title: Re: "J" Cartouche along with JSA 1901
Post by Dick Hosmer on Oct 13^th, 2016 at 6:40am

At one time - not sure if it extended into the Krag period - a large "C" stood for "condemned", meaning that the part had been surveyed and deemed unfit for use, or for further service, in case of a failure in use.

Title: Re: "J" Cartouche along with JSA 1901
Post by butlersrangers on Oct 13^th, 2016 at 1:53pm

Here is an example that I think could be the 'condemned stamp' that Dick Hosmer mentioned.

krag_stock_c_.jpg ( 128 KB | 1 Download )

Title: Re: "J" Cartouche along with JSA 1901
Post by CDY on Oct 13^th, 2016 at 3:25pm

thanks for all the quick responses fellas. I will get a couple of pics up when I get home tonight. The J actually looks very professional, much like the "A" stamp pic that was posted. I have found a few more pics out there on Google that look the same as my rifle..so I am guessing it must have been a process mark at some point of the rifles like (and return to the depot). here is a pic that found on google. check out upper right.

J_stamp.jpg ( 80 KB | 3 Downloads )

Title: Re: "J" Cartouche along with JSA 1901
Post by CDY on Oct 13^th, 2016 at 5:08pm

and the actual stock pic...

j_from_stock.jpg ( 49 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: "J" Cartouche along with JSA 1901
Post by CDY on Oct 14^th, 2016 at 4:56pm

and another one I found today from an auction site a couple years ago...looks like the same stamp used.

another_J.jpg ( 5 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: "J" Cartouche along with JSA 1901
Post by madsenshooter on Oct 14^th, 2016 at 6:33pm

I have a cut down 92/96 that has your J stamp. If anyone ever figures out if it has any meaning, let me know.

Title: Re: "J" Cartouche along with JSA 1901
Post by CDY on Oct 30^th, 2016 at 2:38am

Loaded up about 50 rounds today, 150 grain RN with 40 Grains IMR 4895. at 100 yards, was hitting 4 inch clays with ease. Such a beautiful action.