Free Krags For Everybody!!!!!

[Knute1]

Back in 1913 The National Defense League was organized in Washington, D.C. by Congressmen and others concerned about the preparedness of the U.S.A. in case of war. In 1914 this organization acquired 313,000 Krag Jorgensen magazine rifles through a House bill (the Kahn bill). These rifles were in the arsenals and this bill allowed the rifles to be given out free to gun clubs with more than 10 members along with ammunition. They could even be issued to gun clubs in public schools. I am not sure just how many went out of the arsenals in this manner, but the U.S.A.'s entry into The Great War required all available Krags negating the "free rifles" program, I assume.
Below is an article from "Journal of the United States Artillery".