Initial Issue of M1903 rifles to the National Guard

[Bolo Badge]

Were the M1903 rifles issued to National Guard units prior to WWI purchased by each state or simply issued in mass by the Army as with any other unit?

If purchased, what was the cost of each rifle?

Thanks.

Information

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[Chuckindenver]

hmmm, i do belive they were issued 1917,s and or Krags.
cost of an 03 to uncle same, was less then 30.00,
1903A3 cost around 38.00, i think Hatcher writes about this in his book.
cant tell you what the Krag cost to make.

[Rick the Librarian]

Before WWI, Chuck??



Seriously, I'd like to take another look at the Dick Act of 1903. I believe it tightened up requirements for issuance of equipment to National Guard units so they would be more uniformed.

The date they were issued was in the 1907-1909-range. When I was doing research for my John Gillie article, I saw (and used) a picture of Montana National Guard troops with Krags in 1908.

[Jim Tarleton]

Interesting question. I would suspect they were all purchased by the Ordnance Department and issued to the NG units, but I don't know for sure. NG units are part of the US Army.

Jim

[Jim Tarleton]

As an added note, NG units did have 03's prior to WWI. Check out the pictures of the NG units protecting the Texas/Mexico border prior to WWI.

Jim

[Chuckindenver]

i have a picture someplace . of my Great grandad on the Mexico border with a Krag.
someday ill see if i can dig them up, i also have some training camp pics as well.

[Rick the Librarian]

The Dick Act of 1903 made the National Guard "more" a part of the Army than they had been previously, but as I recall, they still had more independence from federal control than they did today. I have seen pictures of National Guardsmen with M1903s as early as 1907 or 1908. Virtually all would have been equipped by the time of WWI.

[Jim Tarleton]

The 4th Alabama NG was equipped with 1903's, which they later carried to France as the 167th Infantry Regiment. Ditto the 165th, the 166th, and the 168th, all as the 42nd Division.

The 4th Alabama NG was patroling the Texas/Mexico border pre-WWI with a Texas NG unit I have long forgotten, all equipped with 1903's.

Thanks for the info, Rick. I had never heard of the Dick Act, but I think they have just passed a whole bunch of them since February,

Jim

[Rick the Librarian]

I agree - that certainly accurately describes the government we are stuck with now!

[Lancebear]

Hey Jim and Rick,

Show your faces at a TEA party on April fifteenth, certainly not a Dick Act.

Break out the "Don't Tread On Me" flags.

Death to tyrants and traitors,

Robert/LB