Krag usage in WW2?

[Dick Hosmer]

Oddly enough, the trapdoor line-throwing guns are well documented, and a large contract for .45-70 blank ammo was issued to Winchester in 1943. They, however were simply a tool, not a weapon requiring a large supply of ammunition. They served well in that capacity. I have heard stories that .45-70 rifles were issued to at least a few backwater Coast Guard stations during WW2. Still have a hard time seeing Krags actually deployed on ships, but, it may have happened.

[Stretch32]

Not to the stir the pot but 1903's of various types were supposedly used on board ship into the 60's or 70's. I feel like my dad told me the Marine sentries (no longer used today) would carry them on port call sentry duty on the ship or during drills. That would lead me to believe that Krags could've easily found their way into the armories of various ships during WW II in the fleet and used for second hand duties where a front line service rifle (Garand or 1903A3) either wasn't required or wasn't available.

You'd be amazed at all the old crap the Navy keeps around long after it's usefulness has passed. When Cecil Field was closed around 2000 and the Navy left people were finding parts and equipment for aircraft the navy hadn't operated in a squadron since the 1970's. The equipment was still in inventory even though there was no use for it.

Stretch

[Dick Hosmer]

Not to the stir the pot but 1903's of various types were supposedly used on board ship into the 60's or 70's. I feel like my dad told me the Marine sentries (no longer used today) would carry them on port call sentry duty on the ship or during drills. That would lead me to believe that Krags could've easily found their way into the armories of various ships during WW II in the fleet and used for second hand duties where a front line service rifle (Garand or 1903A3) either wasn't required or wasn't available.

You'd be amazed at all the old crap the Navy keeps around long after it's usefulness has passed. When Cecil Field was closed around 2000 and the Navy left people were finding parts and equipment for aircraft the navy hadn't operated in a squadron since the 1970's. The equipment was still in inventory even though there was no use for it.

Stretch

I think that applies to the government in general. Original crates of Model 1884 .45-70 rifles were still turning up in the 1940's. A great number of that particular model were apparently put aside when the "improved" version with ramrod bayonet came out in 1890. The new guns were used by State and miliitia troops in Cuba and the Philippines, while the last of the "obsolete" style, not yet fed into the supply chain, survived. Show me a "mint" TD today, and the odds are VERY high that it will be in the 460-475K range, cartouched [SWP/1889].

[jon_norstog]

First ship I was on was an old Navy seaplane tender that had lived an easy life on the west coast. Some kind of order came down and we snipes had to inventory every piece of equipment and all the parts on hand. Engineering had a huge space for parts and it was full of VERY expensive stuff. Anything that wasn't supposed to be on inventory got tossed into blue water. I just about cried throwing a beautiful Fairbanks Morse salt water pump, brand new and shiny, all brass and monel, over the side. It took 3 guys to heave a shore tie, twisted copper cable a big around as my arm. I think the same process went on with the gunners' lockers and the deck force stores.

Sailors tend to be pack rats, maybe because they don't have to carry that stuff on their backs.

jn

[p246]

I think that applies to the government in general. Original crates of Model 1884 .45-70 rifles were still turning up in the 1940's. A great number of that particular model were apparently put aside when the "improved" version with ramrod bayonet came out in 1890. The new guns were used by State and miliitia troops in Cuba and the Philippines, while the last of the "obsolete" style, not yet fed into the supply chain, survived. Show me a "mint" TD today, and the odds are VERY high that it will be in the 460-475K range, cartouched [SWP/1889].

Yep my nice one with good bore wood and good color case hardening is a 1889 in your serial number range.

[coastie]

I have been given to understand that 4 stack destroyers had '03 rifles AND Krags.
Early in WWII in the Pacific.
Novels have them noted from time to time.
Author Taylor Anderson's novels have them being used.

USCGC POINT BAKER...1966, Port Aransas, Texas.
Line throwing gun was a modified '93 Springfield.
Took out a light on a bollard first time I used it in drill.
First Class Bo'sun: "No, hit the damn light."
and I did!
Right through the lantern!
Never seen a man's eyes bug out before that day.
coastie

[jjrothWA]

Have FIL old "Blue Jacket" manual, listed small arms are:

1903 & 1903A3 and Musstte bag and how to prepare for field exercises
1911 & 1911A1 sidaerms
&
Winchester lever action in 45-70 for"Line throwing"

[dave]

The navy was seriously short of rifles at start of war. Plus they were last in line for procurement. They bought Moss. .22 44US models for training. They also purchased what Remington had left of the new 720 sporters, 900-1000 of them all in 30-06. Those were never used and years after the war they were given to Navy and Marines winners of matches, (new in box with original sling) To bother with a purchase of 1000 rifles (there were not any more nor would there ever be) shows desperation to me! Mine was won in 1979 by a Gunny.

[Bob S]

I have about 100 cases headstamped WRA 34; I've had them for over 50 years. Bought at LGS as once-fired brass. When I queried the Dope Bag guys in DC, I was told these were loaded for the Navy, for subcaliber training devices ... Krag barreled actions inserted into a 5"-51 or similar gun for cheap, short range "live fire" practice. I s'pose could have been fitted to the 5"-38 too. I wonder what the load was? I have been using them for light cast bullet loads, probably reloaded a dozen or more times.

Respectfully,
Bob S.

[psteinmayer]

Oddly enough, the trapdoor line-throwing guns are well documented, and a large contract for .45-70 blank ammo was issued to Winchester in 1943. They, however were simply a tool, not a weapon requiring a large supply of ammunition. They served well in that capacity. I have heard stories that .45-70 rifles were issued to at least a few backwater Coast Guard stations during WW2. Still have a hard time seeing Krags actually deployed on ships, but, it may have happened.

I have a full box of the 45-70 blank ammo, marked "For Line Throwing Guns" and headstamped WRA-43. When I acquired it (it was given to me), it was unopened. Unfortunately, I was young and uneducated about collectable military stuff, so I'm the one who opened the box. However, everything else is intact and the cartridges look pretty good! I've had it for more than 35 years.