New to me Springfield Krag found at LGS
The strap is 1-piece and measures to approx 68in in length of leather, not including the brass frog fingers that extend beyond (which are of the “narrow” variety as I understand it.
New to me Springfield Krag found at LGS
Quote:
Originally Posted by
butlersrangers
I believe OP's sling is what Frank Mallory and William Brophy called a model 1887 sling.
It was used with both the 'trap-door' Springfield and U.S. Krag rifle.
At 68 inches, it is a bit long; possibly, it has stretched over the years.
IMHO - It is a clumsy and bulky sling on a Krag, but, historically correct.
Both of the mentioned authors give 66 1/2 inches as the length of the 1887 sling. (In my opinion, a lot of U.S. slings, original and reproduction, seem to break the 'rules of precise length').
Attached pictures show:
1. An overly long (72 inch) reproduction, "model 1887 sling",
properly threaded and attached to Krag swivels.
2. A better 66 inch reproduction sling, attached in the manner
of match shooters, at Seagirt, N.J., circa 1903-1904.
Attachment 114421Attachment 114420
I very much appreciate your time and energy in helping me become a much better and more informed Krag owner. I have several things in the mail as previously mentioned (to include a 3-piece cleaning rod and original oiler) to get this thing as close to 100% original as I can.
I am a little bit dismayed that there are no remnants of original cartouches to be found on the stock at all (I used a high-power LED light and some BLO to try and get a view of the areas where they would have been - the side has a VERY faint line that would be potentially where the right-hand vertical line of the inspection stamp might have been, and the P is gone altogether with no notable remnant) but from my reading across a few boards - outright removal of these via sanding would not have been completely unusual in some units, or even among early buyers of surplus.
It’s a shame to have that little bit of history lost but otherwise I am enormously pleased with this rifle as a total package and think it worth the relative investment in it.