Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive

Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive
General >> Older threads >> Krag accessories and a mystery http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1343578031 Message started by 5MadFarmers on Jul 29^th, 2012 at 4:07pm

Title: Krag accessories and a mystery
Post by 5MadFarmers on Jul 29^th, 2012 at 4:07pm

FY 07-08 production at Frankford, Part II, Class IV, Section 5 lists a "Body Gauge" for the 1906 cartridges. They made one:

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Note the "price" was $4.90 but we'll get to that.

FY 08-09, same section, doesn't list any:

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Pamphlet 1879, Price list of Ordnance Stores, dated 1914, page 69, lists the body gauges for 1898 and 1906 cartridges at $2.35. They're absent from the 1917 edition (which will eventually become a wallpaper panel....).

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Body gauge for the 1898 cartridge.

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Made at Frankford in 1908. It doesn't show up in their production reports. :-?

Interesting mystery.

Title: Re: Krag accessories and a mystery
Post by reincarnated on Jul 29^th, 2012 at 9:39pm

I think they are exactly like the cartridge case gauges made today by the L.E. Wilson firm in Cashmere, Washington.� Modern production sells for about $30 each.� Very handy if you are going to keep reloading, esp. with salvaged cases.

Both Midway & Graf have the gauges for both calibers in stock.

Title: Re: Krag accessories and a mystery
Post by butlersrangers on Jul 29^th, 2012 at 11:01pm

I'm not sure I understand what the question or mystery is? It appears to be a gauge to check case body dimensions. Once the arsenal had one, why would there be a need for it to be produced annually?

Title: Re: Krag accessories and a mystery
Post by 5MadFarmers on Jul 30^th, 2012 at 12:05am

butlersrangers wrote on Jul 29^th, 2012 at 11:01pm:

I'm not sure I understand what the question or mystery is?� It appears to be a gauge to check case body dimensions.� Once the arsenal had one, why would there be a need for it to be produced annually?

The only body gauge listed as made in 1908 is for the 1906 cartridge. That one is clearly marked as being for the 1898.

Title: Re: Krag accessories and a mystery
Post by butlersrangers on Jul 30^th, 2012 at 1:04am

5MadFarmers:� Thank you for the explanation.� I didn't� realize initially that both pictures were of the same gauge.� "1898" is kind of washed out by the reflection of light in the second photo.� Now, I understand the mystery.

Title: Re: Krag accessories and a mystery
Post by reincarnated on Jul 30^th, 2012 at 2:42am

Sloppy record keeping? Or was there a separate division or accounting practice for equipment made specifically for the National Guard?

By 1908, the Regular Army was pretty well on the way to being equipped with the New Springfield. The .30-03 rifles had been recalled and modified for the 1906 cartridge. But National Guard units armed with the Krag saved their empty brass and reloaded it. Such gauges would be used by the unit armorer in checking empty brass before reloading.

If Springfield was going to tool up to make such gauges, for either cartridge, why would they only make 1? Unless it was a prototype, with production to follow after testing.