Side arm contemporary with the Krag?

[Threesticks]

So I have an 1896 Rifle that I inherited from my Grandfather some years ago and began to wonder what would be a side arm that a soldier would have carried with his Krag?

Thanks, Steve.

[PhillipM]

Colt 1892

http://www.coltfever.com/site/bb2cf3f72c8345238203a24b5a5a2ee9/default?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coltfever.com%2FNew_Army___Navy.html#2929

[dave]

Most anything available, I would say. Average soldier probably had none. Many cut down Colt Single actions were made up at one point.

[psteinmayer]

Probably some 1861 Army Colt, and 1858 Remington Navy cap & ball revolvers still in use... much the same as Trapdoors in the SAW, and Krags in WW1.

Phillip, your link doesn't work.

[butlersrangers]

Steve:
The Krag was in Service from approximately 1894 to 1918. Side-Arms contemporary with the Krag will depend on place, time-frame, and 'branch' or type of service. As a rule, handguns seem to be carried by U.S. Officers and Cavalry Troopers, in period photos. Infantry men usually appear with rifle, ammo belt, and bayonet.

As others have mentioned, early Colt .38 caliber, double action, 'swing out cylinder' revolvers, (models 1889 and 1892), were in use during the Spanish American War. In the Philippines during the campaigns against the Moro, the .38 Colt cartridge proved to be inadequate in stopping 'drugged & body armored' Moro warriors.

This resulted in .45 cal. Colt model 1873 S.A.A., Colt model 1878 ('Alaskan/Philippine model'), and probably early Colt New Service revolvers being employed.

(Attached are some photos to give the 'flavor of the age').
uscavkrag.jpgmoro arms 1911.jpg5th Dist. Scouts.JPGsaw-Lt. Parker Hitt.jpgpop-johnson.jpg

[butlersrangers]

FWIW: Photo of a (repro) Colt SAA, as altered, for re-issue during Philippine campaigns and a photo of (1902 production) Colt model 1878.

IMG_4968-1.JPGPC-colt2.jpg

[psteinmayer]

Man... Would I love to have that Indian!!!

[deadin]

Here's a likely candidate.... This one is an unaltered M1892 civilian model but is identical to the military models used in the 1890's

[Bob S]

Colt New Service, 38 Long Colt (heeled bullet).

Respectfully,
Bob S.

[free1954]

Man... Would I love to have that Indian!!!

I thought that too. although that pile of arms taken from the moros is pretty interesting.

[blackhawknj]

Infantrymen just carried the rifle, officers had the revolvers. A cavalryman would have carried the Krag Carbine and a Colt M1889, M1894 or M1896. The Rough Riders had Krag carbines and Colt SAAs. At Kettle Hill TR carried a Colt M1889 Navy salvaged from theMaine, not the Colt SAA he carries in the movie.

[free1954]

Here's a likely candidate.... This one is an unaltered M1892 civilian model but is identical to the military models used in the 1890's

very nice revolver.

[jon_norstog]

Lots of Rolling blocks there. You get hit with one of those big lead bullets, you go down.

jn

[Michaelp]

Average trooper would only have a rifle.
No need, no authorization, no room for a handgun.
Anybody who has been a grunt would get that.

[1903fan]

The Colt revolvers of that day were a thing of beauty, a great time to be an American serviceman!