Krag Data

Often wonder when the Krag's started selling to Public. Came across this material online. See attachment

I'd guess that the govt got serious about getting rid of them shortly after WWI. However, there would have been NRA and DCM members that got some of them sooner. I think Dr. Hudson and other target shooters of the period had theirs to play with soon after the 03s started production.

That's really neat. Wonder what a "sporting rifle" looked like in the 20's. Rifles were a couple of bucks cheaper if you couldn't cough up $15 for the carbine. Of course I would have to image $15 was still a chunk of change in the 20's.

$15 was half a weeks wages for many people in the 20's. My very generous grandmother and aunt bought me my first .22, a new Remington 514 in 1950 for $12. It was a BIG present. What is half a weeks wages for most people today?

There were some really nice custom Krag rifles made during the 1920-1940 period, some being single shots in calibers like 22 Hornet and G&H 22-3000 others in 25-35 WCF with a magazine. Both Pope and SA made the 22 rim fire conversions which are very difficult to find and expensive these days. The Thomas (Hudson) pencil point bullets improved the target use of the Krag too. One of the best long range varmit/small game cartridges was the 25 Krag of the late 30's and into the 50's through not used in the Krag action but a good single shot action. You can really purchase a used Krag action or one that has many extra holes drilled into it for a low price these days and still build something nice like they did in the 1930's.

I still see at least one or two at every show around here. Once in a while, a gentleman from Kansas City shows up with quite a few Krag parts. Week before last at a small gun show in a Legion hall, a lady was selling one that had a full length rifle barrel on a severely cut stock. The action and barrel were in very good shape. I made her an offer but I really don't think she wanted to sell it. She just sat there cradling it the entire time I was there. Must be some nice memories with that one. Can't blame her.

Gun show next weekend. Hope I find something wooden to buy. Need to find something particular to WWI.