SmokeEaterPilot
Active Member
- Jun 3, 2011
- 525
Hey Guys,
Here's an interesting piece. The Krag had a considerable shorter service life compared to its counterparts produced at Springfield Armory, such as the M1903, M1 Garand, etc.
This was one of the Krags issued to the 26th Infantry Regiment on July 15th 1899. The 26th Infantry Regiment (Blue Spaders). Still serving today.
The list of Krags was found in a folder at the National Archives in Washington DC. The folder in question addressed The Brownsville Affair, which there is a fairly comprehensive story online. In 1906 a shooting occurred in Brownsville, Texas resulting in the death of a bartender. The townspeople blamed the Black Buffalo soldier unit stationed at nearby Fort Brown. Although, the evidence wasn't all that compelling but they were blamed anyways for several decades until later exonerated in the 1970s. Rightfully so! I'd like to point out archival research at NARA helped make that happen.
The Office of Chief of Ordnance during the investigation requested a list of what rifles had been issued to the 25th Infantry Regiment (the one stationed at Fort Brown at the time), but Springfield Armory sent the rifles issued to the 26th Infantry Regiment in a clerical error.
The 26th Infantry saw considerable combat experience during the Phillippine Insurrection. I'm not quite done with this story on the rifle as I need to go back to DC NARA and make some copies of the files on the 26th during their time in the Phillippine and hopefully get some photographs or after action reports.
The rifle is decent shape. The metal is very nice, hasn't been sporterized. The inspection cartouche is no longer present which is unfortunate. The bore is "ok." Shows some shine, dark spots fortunately no serious pitting.
But I got it because Bubba hadn't gotten his hands on it and I liked its story.
Thought I'd share.
I apologize for the lack of quality of photos, I'm playing around in my garage to see how to get the best results when outdoor lighting isn't agreeing with me.
Here's an interesting piece. The Krag had a considerable shorter service life compared to its counterparts produced at Springfield Armory, such as the M1903, M1 Garand, etc.
This was one of the Krags issued to the 26th Infantry Regiment on July 15th 1899. The 26th Infantry Regiment (Blue Spaders). Still serving today.
The list of Krags was found in a folder at the National Archives in Washington DC. The folder in question addressed The Brownsville Affair, which there is a fairly comprehensive story online. In 1906 a shooting occurred in Brownsville, Texas resulting in the death of a bartender. The townspeople blamed the Black Buffalo soldier unit stationed at nearby Fort Brown. Although, the evidence wasn't all that compelling but they were blamed anyways for several decades until later exonerated in the 1970s. Rightfully so! I'd like to point out archival research at NARA helped make that happen.
The Office of Chief of Ordnance during the investigation requested a list of what rifles had been issued to the 25th Infantry Regiment (the one stationed at Fort Brown at the time), but Springfield Armory sent the rifles issued to the 26th Infantry Regiment in a clerical error.
The 26th Infantry saw considerable combat experience during the Phillippine Insurrection. I'm not quite done with this story on the rifle as I need to go back to DC NARA and make some copies of the files on the 26th during their time in the Phillippine and hopefully get some photographs or after action reports.
The rifle is decent shape. The metal is very nice, hasn't been sporterized. The inspection cartouche is no longer present which is unfortunate. The bore is "ok." Shows some shine, dark spots fortunately no serious pitting.
But I got it because Bubba hadn't gotten his hands on it and I liked its story.
Thought I'd share.
I apologize for the lack of quality of photos, I'm playing around in my garage to see how to get the best results when outdoor lighting isn't agreeing with me.