1898 Krag Missing Serial # Question

[Marksc]

So it is a one of a kind! "Screw up". LOL. Again, appreciate all the great information that's pouring in.

[Local Boy]

I tend to agree with the idea that the receiver had a error and discarded into the reject pile, however, does the following picture look familiar?:

Taken from "The Krag Rifle Story", 2nd Edition, Subcaliber Attachments, page 96.

You know in U.S. coin collecting there's an "Coin Error" classification. Wonder if there is one for Springfield Krag errors made by the Springfield Armory? Not including modifications made post production.

[Marksc]

Can it be explained a little better to me what a subcaliber attachment is or pictures.Picture is identical to what I have the best I can see.

[Local Boy]

As a cost saving measure, military units would sometimes use rifle caliber rounds (sub caliber) for artillery practice. A specialized receiver would be attached to the artillery piece for that purpose.

[Dick Hosmer]

Wow - GOOD catch!!!! Makes me feel like I have egg on my face.

I'd have to think that is what it was. Of course finding any of the associated linkage is likely to be a long cold trail.

I'm even more inclined now though to suggest leaving it loose - if you want to make a shooter, receivers are not hard to find.

[Local Boy]

Dick, why you go ahead and wipe that egg off your face because you and other Krag Gurus are a premier source of Krag knowledge and information. I have truly benefited from you and other's input/insight.

BTW: Did someone say they needed a Krag receiver???

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/706311318

[butlersrangers]

'Local Boy' - Great job of spotting that picture of an identical receiver in Mallory's "KRS".

Frank Mallory may have been correct about this 'non-serial numbered' receiver being a component of a 'Sub-caliber Attachment' for Artillery practice. However, I think there are some inconsistencies and errors (which I will explain).

Both the Army and Navy had sub-caliber devices. The Navy had a device that could be externally attached to deck guns. The Army device was inserted into the bore of artillery pieces. Both systems allowed practice by firing specially prepared .30 caliber cartridges.

Mallory reports Subcaliber Attachments were made at Watervliet Arsenal, using some rifle components supplied by Springfield Armory. Apparently 200 devices were prepared, between 1901 to 1909, for artillery ranging from 3.2" Field Gun to 7" Siege Howitzer.

William Brophy, in the "The Krag Rifle", (pages 206-207), shows detailed pictures of the 'Navy Sub-Caliber Rifle' ("Mark I Mod. 1 Sub-Caliber Rifle"). The device could be solenoid or manually fired, and was attached externally to Deck Guns. The pictures show a regularly machined Krag receiver, with serial number, and a regular trigger which the solenoid plunger strikes. Also, three holes are described as being drilled into the receiver ring to allow the action to be held in the device by lock-screws. The pictured device was made in 1919 by the Boston Scale and Machine Company

Brophy also shows the 'Army Sub-Caliber Rifle', which is clamped into a large bronze collar with interrupted threads, that allow it to be 'screwed' into an open cannon breech. The Krag action is fired with its conventional trigger. The left-side of the Krag action is not shown so I cannot tell if there is a serial number or complete machining.

The picture posted by 'Local Boy' shows a Linkage that I believe to be totally unrelated to the Artillery Sub-Caliber Devices. The Linkage is for a "Cummings Sub-Target Gun Machine". But that's another Story

[butlersrangers]

The linkage in the Mallory, "Krag Rifle Story", photo (that 'Local Boy' matched up with the OP's receiver) I believe is an error. It has nothing to do with Firing the mechanism.

The Linkage seems to be the type that was used on Krag and 1903 Springfield rifles adapted for use on U.S. produced "Cummings Sub-Target Gun (or rifle) Machines".

IMHO - It is not a part of the artillery sub-caliber devices. I think the pairing with the 'not quite finished/no serial number' Krag action is a mistake. Sub-Target Gun Machines and Sub-Caliber Devices are different animals. Someone combined parts of unrelated devices.

The "Sub-Target Gun Machine" was a 'rifle shooting simulator'-'training aid' that saw use in the U.S. and British Army & Navy, Military academies, military and public schools, from the early 1900s to around 1920.

It worked on the principle of the pantograph. A rifle attached to the Cumming's machine was aimed at a distant target. A needle mechanism moved in alignment with the rifle's bore, poised to strike a miniature target that was aligned with the distant target.

When the rifle was 'dry fired', a linkage was moved by the rifle's Cocking-Piece. This action pulled a cable that caused the needle to move forward and pierce the miniature target ("sub-target").

If everything was properly adjusted and aligned, the pin hole on the miniature target would correspond to the sight picture through the rifle sights, when the trigger was squeezed. (Yes, we all want one for our Game Room)!

Attached: Said Linkage on a Krag, Linkage on 1903 Springfield, Post Card that is also a miniature target with pin holes.

[butlersrangers]

IMHO - It is possible and quite intriguing that 'Marksc' may have a Krag receiver, that was made purposely, for use on one of the Watervliet type sub-caliber artillery training devices.

Attached is a photo of one such device that was excavated on Bannerman's Island (in the Hudson River far north of NYC).

Unfortunately, none of the pictures I can find of the Watervliet sub-caliber artillery devices show the left-side of the receiver.

It seems clear to me that the Krags, used with the artillery sub-caliber devices, had conventional triggers.

That Linkage Mechanism, in the picture supplied by 'Local Boy', is actuated by a small rod joined to the Cocking-Piece. It is not a 'triggering' mechanism. It is designed to pull a small cable a short distance.

[psteinmayer]

This all, while fascinating, still leaves the mystery of how this receiver wound up in a finished working rifle, with a legitimate carbine stock and barrel. Again, me thinks it to be a Bannerman... especially since an Army Artillery example was excavated on the island. Perhaps ole Bannerman was disassembling the artillery sub-caliber devices and assembling the receivers into full rifles and carbines!