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Message started by Norwich06 on Feb 19th, 2012 at 2:55pm

Title: Re: US Navy serial number listings?
Post by 5MadFarmers on Feb 19th, 2012 at 5:01pm

Dick Hosmer wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 3:12pm:
If one does, I've never heard of it. Was he ship's company or a Marine? The Krag was not widely used by either branch.


Dick, it was used exclusively by the Marines and Navy for a time.  Due to appropriations technicalities it was harder for the Navy to get rid of the Krag than the Army.  The Navy and Marines first received Krags about 1900 and the first appropriation for '03s was in 1910 (for 2500 rifles total).  They were still buying Krags from the Army in 1911.  They had to as having too many types in service is a problem. 

During WW1 they asked for enough money to buy 150,000 rifles to finally replace the Krags.  The Army, standardized on the M-1917, was willing to let them have all of production until the number was met.

The battleships were supposed to replace their Krags in 1910 after the fleet exercise.  Not enough guns were available for that and it took until 1919 to finally get the Navy and Marines fully equipped with the '03.

Don't forget that the Marines aren't exclusive in "going ashore" at that time.  The ship had landing parties composed of the sailors.  There weren't enough Marines on the ships to fill that role.

I am unaware of serial lists for the Navy ships.  The Navy was known to stamp the guns with the ship's name.

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