What specifically are they doing?

This is a fun question for the 'younger guys'. ('Older hands' will know at a glance).

Please, let the 'uninitiated' puzzle it out.

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Notice anything unusual about the nearest Krag?

Long slender wrist?

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I find it interesting that every Krag has the scabbard on the bayonet, LOL!

butlersrangers wrote on Jun 16^th, 2017 at 5:09am:

Long slender wrist?

Looks like it to me - and is that a short handguard?

Yes, it seems to be - guess I missed the point of an 1892/96 being that noteworthy.

To me, the strangest things would be the presence of the women and children, and the second group of recruits wedged up against the wall, obscuring the targets.

I think it is just a dry fire - aiming excerise.  Dad explained to me how it is done years ago.  I seem to recall reading about it in a WW2 Army shooting book.

Wish I had paid more attention to him then.  I would be a champion at Camp Perry if I could shoot a tenth as well as Dad.

Uniform inconsistencies.
Vic

Dick Hosmer wrote on Jun 17^th, 2017 at 3:49pm:

Yes, it seems to be - guess I missed the point of an 1892/96 being that noteworthy.

Would the short handguard normally be retained on a 92/96? (Photo seems to show about 50% short handguards. Could these be unconverted 92's with missing/obscured ramrod?)

Culpeper wrote on Jun 17^th, 2017 at 4:15pm:

I think it is just a dry fire - aiming excerise.  Dad explained to me how it is done years ago.  I seem to recall reading about it in a WW2 Army shooting book.

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I remember doing this exercise during basic training in 1963, with the M14 rifle.

Parashooter wrote on Jun 17^th, 2017 at 6:18pm:

Dick Hosmer wrote on Jun 17th, 2017 at 3:49pm: Yes, it seems to be - guess I missed the point of an 1892/96 being that noteworthy. Would the short handguard normally be retained on a 92/96? (Photo seems to show about 50% short handguards. Could these be unconverted 92's with missing/obscured ramrod?)

I'd have to say yes and no, but it certainly would not be impossible.  Nor would it be necessary, since the sight cutout is the same and would not have required a change. I do not see any hidden rods, and the butts appear to be curved, so do not believe they are unaltered 1892s.

We all wish 'Culpeper' had paid greater attention to his Father!

I believe the manual pages, 'parashooter' has supplied, explain what the new recruits are doing in the WW1 Virginia training camp photograph.

When I was a Boy Scout in a Detroit Troop in the early 1960s, We had a DCM affiliate .22 cal. Shooting Club. We began our Marksmanship Training using this technique indoors (with our "U.S Property" Remington model 513 Target Rifles), in preparation for actual 'Live' range shooting.

The method did teach consistent and proper Sight Picture.

Thank you Parashooter and Dick Hosmer for noticing the Krags with early features. Thank you Culpeper.

My 92/96 has a mix of parts including the 92 sight and guard, and a flat muzzle from the 92.  The stock is a period replacement as there is no filled channel, but there is the 'P' and matching patina, color and wear.