Unusual Krag ammo

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  • keith smart
    Senior Member
    • Apr 2010
    • 163

    #1

    Unusual Krag ammo

    Came across a full box of FA ammo for the Krag, dated 1943. The were blanks with WRA 31 headstamp. Is it safe to assume that Krags were in inventory in 43 and used for training purposes?
    Keith
  • raymeketa
    Senior Member
    • Dec 2010
    • 884

    #2
    Frankford Arsenal produced those blank cartridges for civilian organizations for drills and salutes. Many of them were made by breaking down ball cartridges that were still in stores. That would explain the 1931 headstamp.

    Ray

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    • Dick Hosmer
      Very Senior Member - OFC
      • Aug 2009
      • 5993

      #3
      Even stranger perhaps, from a time/date perspective, is the 1943 (at least) loading of .45-70 blanks which were used by the Navy in their line-throwing guns.

      Comment

      • psteinmayer
        Senior Member
        • Sep 2011
        • 1527

        #4
        I have an entire unopened box of the 45-70 blanks for line throwing!
        "I was home... What happened? What the Hell Happened?" - MM1 Jacob Holman, USS San Pablo

        Comment

        • Rick the Librarian
          Super Moderator
          • Aug 2009
          • 6700

          #5
          The most unusual Krag ammunition I have is a box of Model 1925 ammo (1928 headstamps) that was meant to be used for a sub-caliber device (barrel and receiver) on 3" seacoast guns.





          Last edited by Rick the Librarian; 03-17-2015, 06:40.
          "We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst."
          --C.S. Lewis

          Comment

          • coastie
            Senior Member
            • Aug 2009
            • 181

            #6
            U.S.C.G.
            line throwing gun aboard CGC Point Baker in 1966-67 was a modified, smooth bore, '03 Springfield.
            The Bos'n first told me to aim for the light on the dolphin astern of us at Port Aransas. I said: "You mean over it, Boats?"
            [me being a smartass and all]
            He said: "No. Hit the D### thing!"
            [I had irritated him earlier with a DA question.]
            I took careful aim, settled in steady, and with a slight water wave heave while on the fantail of the 82 footer, fired.......
            The orange line paid out as the "dummy" sailed into the sky......
            AND WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE MARKER LIGHT!
            Until that day I had never before seen a man's eyes "bug out".

            Comment

            • DRB
              Senior Member
              • Sep 2009
              • 216

              #7
              This box is dated 1910 probably still a pretty common item then I imagine more then a few Krags were still issued then.

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              • deadin
                Member
                • Mar 2010
                • 80

                #8
                The Navy was still using 45/70 line throwers in the early 1960's. (At least they were on the two aircraft carriers I was on.)
                The gun was a shotgun type top-break. Probably a H&R or Stevens.

                Comment

                • raymeketa
                  Senior Member
                  • Dec 2010
                  • 884

                  #9
                  Originally posted by DRB
                  This box is dated 1910 probably still a pretty common item then I imagine more then a few Krags were still issued then.
                  Note that the cartridges were re-packed in 1910. They could be of much earlier manufacture.

                  Ray

                  Comment

                  • 70ish
                    Member
                    • Jan 2011
                    • 98

                    #10
                    Have a box from Frankford Arsenal marked as "Multi-Ball Cartridges for Model 1898 Rifle". Instructions say cartridges are not to be used in magazine and give range and sight setting information.
                    Since it's sealed, I haven't looked at the cartridges themselves so don't know what they look like. They are supposed to be effective up to 200 yards, but for what? Anyone know any details
                    about these such as size, quantity or use?

                    Thanks!!
                    Last edited by 70ish; 04-18-2015, 08:42. Reason: Spelling error

                    Comment

                    • raymeketa
                      Senior Member
                      • Dec 2010
                      • 884

                      #11
                      The Krag Multi-Ball cartridges were for short-range guard and riot use. Two 42 grain round balls.

                      Ray

                      Comment

                      • 70ish
                        Member
                        • Jan 2011
                        • 98

                        #12
                        Thank you!

                        Comment

                        • Kragrifle
                          Senior Member
                          • Nov 2010
                          • 1161

                          #13
                          While I have no data to support my idea, it is interesting that these multiball cartridges are about the same size as the Krag blanks. Benecia Arsenal (according to Mallory) performed the alterations to a standard Krag to allow them to handle the shorter blank cases. Might this have also have been done to allow the shorter multiball cartridges to function loaded into the magazine?

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