The Navy Goes For the Lee Rifle In 1895

For poking fun and off topic subjects
Post Reply
Knute1
Posts: 1077
Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2016 3:22 am

The Navy Goes For the Lee Rifle In 1895

Post by Knute1 »

From the "Pacific Rural Press" comes this report on 8/31/1895. The Navy adopted the Lee with reasons why it was better than the Krag, at least for the Navy. Years later it reluctantly accepted the Krag and would have to hang on to it longer than the Army would.

The new navy rifle, the invention of J.P. Lee of Connecticut, has been recommended by the Small Arms Board after many experiments. By many this gun is believed to be superior to the Krag Jorgensen rifle used in the army. The navy rifle is lighter, thus enabling the sailor to carry fifty more rounds of ammunition than the soldier, and gives a flatter trajectory. The rapidity of fire is very great, five aimed shots being fired three seconds. The total weight, with straps, is 8-3/4 pounds, which enables the sailor to carry 200 rounds of ammunition. The barrel is twenty-seven inches long, the trigger is at all times under control, and there is no danger of accidental fire, while the magazine clip is the lightest in use. The fire is very accurate at 2000 yards, while at 5000 the bullet would pierce two or three men in a row. It would penetrate the body of a man at a distance of 6000 yards. The barrel is made of nickel steel. The results of the tests have been so satisfactory that it is thought the National Guard in some States will adopt it.

Below is the link the report came from:
https://books.google.com/books?id=xkTxU28bQwIC&pg=RA1-PA143&dq=krag+jorgensen+railroad&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjC35GW6eDkAhWEqp4KHdnhCNo4eBDoATAIegQIAxAC#v=onepage&q=krag%20jorgensen%20railroad&f=false

Post Reply