My thoughts on DCM - Krag paperwork
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 5:28 am
Over the past several years, I bought some DCM paperwork off of eBay, that was no longer 'paired' with the Krag rifle purchased.
If a serial number was recorded with the purchase-paperwork, it likely only appeared on the 'shipping ticket' letter, (that confirmed the rifle was shipped).
I have one 'shipping ticket' letter for a Krag rifle "modified to carbine length" and shipped from Benicia Arsenal in 1929. The 'shipping ticket' letter has a serial number penciled on it.
I do not know if the serial number was printed by a shipping-clerk or written on the letter by the purchaser to prove ownership? (Hence my interest in DCM-Krag paperwork).
My theory of the process on Krag DCM purchases:
1. An NRA member could obtain a purchase-order form, from the Director of Civilian Marksmanship, and submit the request with his NRA membership card and choose a payment/shipping option.
2. Everything being in order, the DCM would send instructions to a U.S. Army storage facility, depot, or arsenal, listing the items and method of payment & shipment.
(Two orders are posted - one to Rock Island in 1923 and one to Benicia Arsenal in 1929 for a rifle modified to carbine length).
3. The order being packed and ready for shipment, a 'clerk' completed the shipping ticket (letter), possibly noting the serial number on the typed form, in pencil(?).
I invite KCA members to share their insights. If letters are shared, it is probably a good idea to 'blemish' them in some way, to discourage charlatans and poltroons.
If a serial number was recorded with the purchase-paperwork, it likely only appeared on the 'shipping ticket' letter, (that confirmed the rifle was shipped).
I have one 'shipping ticket' letter for a Krag rifle "modified to carbine length" and shipped from Benicia Arsenal in 1929. The 'shipping ticket' letter has a serial number penciled on it.
I do not know if the serial number was printed by a shipping-clerk or written on the letter by the purchaser to prove ownership? (Hence my interest in DCM-Krag paperwork).
My theory of the process on Krag DCM purchases:
1. An NRA member could obtain a purchase-order form, from the Director of Civilian Marksmanship, and submit the request with his NRA membership card and choose a payment/shipping option.
2. Everything being in order, the DCM would send instructions to a U.S. Army storage facility, depot, or arsenal, listing the items and method of payment & shipment.
(Two orders are posted - one to Rock Island in 1923 and one to Benicia Arsenal in 1929 for a rifle modified to carbine length).
3. The order being packed and ready for shipment, a 'clerk' completed the shipping ticket (letter), possibly noting the serial number on the typed form, in pencil(?).
I invite KCA members to share their insights. If letters are shared, it is probably a good idea to 'blemish' them in some way, to discourage charlatans and poltroons.