Franklin B. Mallory's forward for the "Krag Rifle Story" begins with:

"The Krag-Jorgensen magazine rifle, known popularly as the Krag, was the first cal. .30 smokeless-powder rifle adopted by the United States, and thus deserves a special place in American military history."

I agree that "U.S. Magazine Rifle" seems to be a generic title but at the turn of the century it probably seemed appropriate in someones mind.

Since my copy doesn't have any obvious citations I guess we can blame the title on the Chiefs of Ordanance, at the time, Generals Adelbert Rinaldo Buffington or William Crozier.

I'm glad military minds finally got things sorted out and started giving firearms titles like: "United States Rifle, Caliber .30-06, Model 1903" or "United States Rifle, cal .30, Model of 1917".  I guess much more specific and descriptive! ::)

BTW: Since "magazine" basically means to store or storage... wasn't there other magazine feed small firearms widely adopted by the U.S. miltary prior to the Krag???  Spencers and Henrys come to mind...