Thanks again Fred for the pictures and information on the Rod Bayonet Springfields.
The abandonment of the Rod Bayonet Model 1903 and the 'Updating' to 1905 changes had to leave an abundance of discarded, as well as, unused RB '03 sight parts in storage at Springfield and Rock Island.
The Krag seems to have remained in widespread use with the U.S. Army, Navy, National Guard, and Military Schools well into the 19-teens. It certainly saw reserve and training use during WW1. When handled roughly, the Slide-Lock Screw of the model 1902 rear-sight was particularly vulnerable to being bent or sheared-off.
The availability of RB '03 sight parts that interchanged with model 1902 sight parts had to be a real boon to repair and refurbishing of Krags at U.S. Arsenals.
The yardage graduations on model 1898, 1902, and RB '03 rear-sight leafs have the same spacing. Differences in Cartridge Trajectories were compensated for in the height and curvature of the different model sight bases.
The peculiar RB '03 Slide-Lock Screw is commonly seen on many Krags with the model 1902 sight. It would be interesting to know if this always indicates repair or if it is a result of 'model changeover', with Krags still being manufactured while the Rod Bayonet Model 1903 was starting production. (Produce new type knobs that will work with both out-going and new Service Arms).
