NRA Krag Carbine 1899
NRA Krag Carbine 1899
Is there or was there ever an NRA 1899 Carbine? If so is there any information that one can use to identify one?
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butlersrangers
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Re: NRA Krag Carbine 1899
As I understand things, a Model 1899 carbine, would be a Model 1899 carbine, even if it was sold by the DCM to an NRA Member in the 1920s.
(The NRA has never sold arms, but, at one time you had to be an NRA member to purchase items from the Director of Civilian Marksmanship).
The "NRA carbines" were Krag rifles, cut to 22" carbine barrel length, fitted with the '03 Springfield (1905) front-sight, and placed in a carbine stock. (When carbine stock supplies were exhausted, altered rifle stocks seem to have been utilized).
The work and sales of the "NRA carbines" is attributed to Benicia Arsenal, in California. The price, in 1928, was $3.50 for a cut-off Krag, in serviceable condition, shipped from Benicia.
The work at Benicia, on these Krag rifles altered to "carbines", went on from approximately 1925 to 1930.
Mallory reported that Benicia records, that were found, listed 11,245 rifles were converted between fiscal years 1925 and 1930.
That is a lot of converted arms! However, probably an even greater number of Krag rifles were being cut-down by others and turned into similar looking "carbines".
Only DCM sales paperwork can verify an altered Krag is an "NRA Carbine". (Also look for the highest level of workmanship).
(The NRA has never sold arms, but, at one time you had to be an NRA member to purchase items from the Director of Civilian Marksmanship).
The "NRA carbines" were Krag rifles, cut to 22" carbine barrel length, fitted with the '03 Springfield (1905) front-sight, and placed in a carbine stock. (When carbine stock supplies were exhausted, altered rifle stocks seem to have been utilized).
The work and sales of the "NRA carbines" is attributed to Benicia Arsenal, in California. The price, in 1928, was $3.50 for a cut-off Krag, in serviceable condition, shipped from Benicia.
The work at Benicia, on these Krag rifles altered to "carbines", went on from approximately 1925 to 1930.
Mallory reported that Benicia records, that were found, listed 11,245 rifles were converted between fiscal years 1925 and 1930.
That is a lot of converted arms! However, probably an even greater number of Krag rifles were being cut-down by others and turned into similar looking "carbines".
Only DCM sales paperwork can verify an altered Krag is an "NRA Carbine". (Also look for the highest level of workmanship).