Krag Crap by Bill Mook

[Fred]

I want to let the handful of guys I promised a copy of Bill Mook's "Krag Crap" know that I haven't forgotten them. I've been side tracked by life's slings and arrows (some deaths and one suicide) and hadn't run off the book's 50 pages for each copy yet. I will find a place in town that will do that for me. Maybe there's a Kinko's. Don't give up! I'll get it done.


Fred

[Dick Hosmer]

Thanks for the update - an untimely death (my daughter, in April) and a suicide (friend from HS on the 4th of July - BANG!) here, as well - getting old is not for sissies.

[CJCulpeper]

I want to let the handful of guys I promised a copy of Bill Mook's "Krag Crap" know that I haven't forgotten them. I've been side tracked by life's slings and arrows (some deaths and one suicide) and hadn't run off the book's 50 pages for each copy yet. I will find a place in town that will do that for me. Maybe there's a Kinko's. Don't give up! I'll get it done.


Fred

Sir, do you think I could have a copy of it, too?

Culpeper

[sdkrag]

Thanks for the update. Let us know what the copies will cost.

[Kragrifle]

Sorry for your losses, all.

[Griff Murphey]

Amen to that...

[soldierofhistory1898]

Good evening Fred. Please put my name on your list for a copy of Mook's Krag crap. Thanks in advance. Gray

[1563621]

I would like to get a copy.

[Kragrifle]

Fred, PM sent.

[Mark Daiute]

Copy for me?

[Fred]

I'm taking notes on who is asking and has asked for a copy. I hope that I don't forget anyone.

[5MadFarmers]

Why not just post a PDF? Send it to me and I'll make it one.

[Fred]

How do I do that? What's a PDF? Sorry I'm not very skilled with this computer...

[5MadFarmers]

PDF is an electronic book. A book is scanned and then turned into an electronic book.

One needs a scanner and software to create PDFs. Most word processors can create PDFs now.

Easiest way would be to send it. I have scanners. I can convert it to a PDF and burn that to a CD. Send you the original and CD. I'll also forward it via email so you can forward to whomever.

My username at gmail dot com works.

[ClaudeH]

I'd like a copy, if possible - please. The pdf idea would be easier for everyone (except 5MF).

[psteinmayer]

I'd like one too... when available.

[11mm]

I'd like one as well. I appreciate everyone's efforts on this.

[Fred]

OK, I'll send a copy to 5MadFarmers and he can take it from there.

[JOHN42768]

Fred, If you could add me to your list, I would very much appreciate it. Thank you in advance, John

[5MadFarmers]

My username at gmail dot com works.

That'd be the place to send an email for address.

[Fred]

Roger that! Wilco.

[lyman]

if more copies are available, please include me,
thanks

[rayg]

Same here, Ray

[Kragrifle]

Been on the list for awhile. Anyway I can help things along?

[coastie]

Fred and 5madf,
please let me know when you have the preparation done.

My Krag trading story: Fellow next to me told me he had traded for a Krag from a gun show visitor.
The gentleman gave him a good deal. And he commented on the condition of the rifle.
The visitor said he already had his money from the rifle.....when cleaning the cosmoline
from the Krag he swabbed the butt trap.....and found a $5 dollar gold piece!
My now good friend had me.....I checked the butt trap of my military rifles.
The fellow at the table next to me asked. I told the other fellow's story.
He began checking his table's military butt traps.
The fellow next to him......
Went through the whole show like that.

[ww321q]

That's what I was thinking coastie. :) I'm new and wasn't going to ask. You mean not all Krags have a coin in the butstock? LOL ! ;)

[kragluver]

There is a story in Col Shockley's book The Krag Jorgenson in the Service about troops hiding the palace jewels in the butt traps of their rifles following the storming of the palace in the Forbidden City during the Boxer Rebellion. I always check the traps on all my milsurp rifles. No treasures yet:(

[Dick Hosmer]

I'd take most of the late Colonel's ramblings with several grains of salt. Probably the poster boy for the "Uncle Charlie" story genre, popular until the 1980s when the better books - actually correctly identifying the various models of Krag (and trapdoor) began to appear. He certainly makes fun reading for 'local color' but don't base any purchase decisions on his book(s).

[kragluver]

Agree with that. His is the only book I've run across that goes much into how the Krag performed in the field - including the PI and Boxer Rebellion. It is certainly not a Krag collectors book!

Pardon my ignorance - what was the Uncle Charlie story? I'm still under 50 yah know;)

[Kragrifle]

" Well, my Uncle Charlie says that.............."

[psteinmayer]

LOL

[kragluver]

Oh - duh, of course. I'll slink back off into my corner...

[Dick Hosmer]

Hey, it wasn't personal. I just happen to prefer more factual, and less flamboyant authors. He was a prominant spokesman for his era of knowledge.

ps: I look in my butt traps, too!

[5MadFarmers]

I think I'd have liked him. At a minimum he'd have been an interesting one to talk to. Something of a curmudgeon I'd gather.


He was a prominant spokesman for his era of knowledge.

More importantly, the one before also. Which is the one in question. So add the mores of those two generations, his life and career, and the pixie dust of idol worship and you'd have him.

You made me curious. So I poked at his life. He was born in the P.I. in 1901. His father was a serving officer. Shockley himself followed in his father's footsteps. Thus a sprinkling of idol worship. His father. An officer in the PI during the event horizon where it all went down.

Young Shockley attempted to lie his way to France. Lie? He was too young. He lied about his age. Didn't succeed from what I can see. Kind of tough if your father is a serving officer.

Instead he finished his schooling and received a commission right after the war. Who would he have been stationed with? Older officers having served in the PI and in France. Analog fathers. More stories and mores from the previous generation.

Shockley thus heard more accounts of the PI troubles than most. Those vignettes are illuminating. Colored but illuminating nonetheless.

He'd have been an entertaining man to have a beer with.

[butlersrangers]

As a child in the Philippines, I believe Shockely witnessed events, such as, grain sacks with severed Heads of Moro insurgents being emptied on the Governor General's lawn by Moro Scouts in Mindanao. He saw his Army Surgeon, Father, at work on victims of gun-shots and Kris cuts. An 8 year old child, he saw dead Juarmentados and their victims. Interesting childhood!

[kragluver]

Don't worry Dick, I took nothing personal. I was poking fun at my own ignorance about the Uncle Charlie reference.

I did find Shockley's book interesting. Not many other books provide details of the PI or Boxer Rebellion. I noticed Canfield quoted him heavily.