Krag Collectors Association Forum

I read a comment about the recent cutaway where the poster suggested dents came from stacking arms. Have you done it? I have, but not with a Krag. In early Feb. 1960, I was in USN boot camp. We had real 1903 (and a few 03A3) Springfields as drill rifles, not some sort of pretend drill rifles. We marched about with our rifles and stacked arms when ever we went to a class. If you were careful, they did not get too badly dented. If the stack fell down, the Chief was unhappy, so we took care. Not a difficult skill to master.

FWIW, the real 1903 I was issued had SN 4003. Yup, a real rod-bayonet .30-03 that had been given the 1906 conversion. Would have worked too. Bolt had a complete firing pin. Barrel was not plugged. I could see some rifling. I knew it was a museum piece and treasured it.

We "stacked arms" often, using replica 'Brown Bess' Muskets, during The Bicentennial of the American Revolution. Muskets required interlocking fixed socket bayonets & partially drawing rammers.Technique is a bit different with rifles and 'stacking-swivels'. No harm is done if three arms are stacked carefully. Once "tripod" is secure and stable, other arms can be leaned against the first three, maintaining an even & balanced load. Cartridge belts, bayonets, and accoutrements can then be hung and draped evenly on stacked arms.One day on a lark, (while my wife was out), I decorated our Living Room with stacked Krags.It is easier to do when several careful hands are involved. Calm, team work, communication, and steady hands are needed to un-ravel the stack.

photos: 1. & 2. - My handiwork. 3. A great-uncle's company of Mich. State Troops training outside of Calumet, Mich. in 1903. 4. U.S. Engineers in London 1917.

I'm thinking that we should stack our Krags at Perry for the Roosevelt Match and get some pictures! That could be fun...

"Crossed Arms" and "Stacked Arms"!

Recently, I read somebody's opinion, that Krag rifles were rarely stacked.

I suspect that it was a common practice, but maybe rarely photographed?

I'm 'bumping' an old thread and also adding another 'field' photograph of the 3rd U.S. Infantry at Walker, Minn. in 1898.
The Krag rifles are stacked and ladened with accoutrements and clothing.
A day later, at the Sugar Point Reservation, an accidental discharge while 'stacking arms' may have precipitated an unfortunate battle.

FWIW - I doubt that it was ever intended that 'loaded' arms be stacked.

The stacked rifles appear to be a popular spot to throw all your other gear on top of as well.

I am trying to recall — back in the 90’s during boot camp we would stack the M16A2 rifles against each other while we went into the chow hall — I recall we left a gear watch too. Come to think of it, I also have seen this practice out in the fleet — at MCAS (Marine Corps Base Hawaii nowadays) Kaneohe Bay the ground guys would stack their weapons outside too.

You’d never catch us decorating the stack with other gear though — hell, we weren’t even allowed to use our cargo pockets… Most had cargo pockets sealed shut and flush with glue or other means.

The tradition continued .... hurry up and wait!

Dock at Tampa 1898: