Lone Ranger's silver Krag cartridges

[A. F Medic]

Well, not really.

Was just given a opened box of 30/40 Krags. The strange thing is that they are all nickel plated including the bullet! Bullet non magnetic.

The box says, Ball Cartridges---Caliber .30. Powder WA Smokless Primer G.36.
Usual directions to throw empty in water.

Manufactured at FRANKFORD ARSENAL.

Most of the cartridges are marked:
12:00--F
3:00--98
8:00-- 9

Can post images later if needed.

Information

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[5MadFarmers]

Do you mean tinned cases and the normal cupronickel bullets?

[A. F Medic]

Not sure. Everything is a bright silver. Including the primer.

Friend of mine ran them through a tumbler as he said they were discolored pretty bad. I did not see them before the polishing. I probably would of asked him to not do it.

They sure look like something the Lone Ranger would be proud to shove in his cartridge belt. I will try some images when the sun shines.

Manufactured in 1898 right? Thanks...

[browningautorifle]

The story I got was they were for use in hot climates such as Santo Domingo. The ammo wouldn't turn green . I have 45-70 and 30-40 and both are tinned.

[A. F Medic]

[browningautorifle]

That's right...that's the stuff!

[5MadFarmers]

The story I got was they were for use in hot climates such as Santo Domingo. The ammo wouldn't turn green . I have 45-70 and 30-40 and both are tinned.

They were tinned to be stylish. Yes, I'm serious.

Tinning was started in 1888 - well before the tropical vacations the army started offering in 1898.

[browningautorifle]

Very interesting...also the statement on the box reference de-priming and throwing in water. Who would have thought the army to concern themselves with that sort of thing?

[TerryS]

They were going to be recycled (reloaded).

[5MadFarmers]

Yes. In 1888 they toyed with some cartridges from Morse. Those introduced tinning as they were mean to be reloaded. In early 1897 they tested the theory that the tinning would result in less damage to the cases from the primers and powder. What they discovered was it didn't really make a difference either way. At $.07 per 1,000 the tinning saved them the cost of tumbling finished rounds and added a stylish flair so the recommendation was to continue.