Where Did You Find Yours

[Dick Hosmer]

Looking at it myself, it looks about 14", doesn't it? I did measure it though and it's exactly 21.5"...close...no cookie.

That is amazing - I wonder if modern digital cameras have a new way of minimizing the optical flaw known as "barrel distortion" (which has nothing to do with gun barrels!) at close range? In the old days, with SLR cameras, a distinct curvature would be visible. I based my comment on proportions. Yours appears, from the photo, to be of very nearly equal length from front of magazine to band as from band to muzzle, which would mean it was way short. I presume you made the 21.5" measurement in the bore from face of closed bolt? The photo is really a puzzle! Enjoyed the chat.

[browningautorifle]

Yes, I measured with a rod inserted into the barrel with the bolt closed. Of all pics taken, I've never had this happen with that camera.

[browningautorifle]

So, finally got round to altering my cut down rifle for the front band. Now it looks like a school gun for the most part. I know why my pics came out funny before, I'd used the macro setting and it gave a false look to the pic...here's the before and after...

The bayonet had met a grinder so I had to paper out some severe scoring and it's not quite done, the picket pin case has been chewed by a vermin so it needs some work too. I still have to make a screw for the front. It was given to me by a member here, very kindly, and here's the far end of the work...

[butlersrangers]

I have never figured out this 'thing' with Krag bayonets and picket pin cases. The U.S. Cavalry certainly used picket pins. They carried carbines and did not use bayonets.
Krag bayonets were carried in metal scabbards. I suppose mounted Infantry would have carried picket pins in their saddle bags. I would guess for safety those picket pins would be in their cases and bayonets in their scabbards. The 'marriage' of Picket pin cases and bayonets just doesn't make a lick of sense!

[browningautorifle]

Well, the picket pin had the case, which strapped to the saddle. Each man was issued one and they came with a pick head and the shovel head and retaining pin...and a bag of one horse shoe and some nails tied up with a leather thong. The parts for the digging tools are long since scarce but the pins show up. I've read that the surplus of bayonets was aimed at the hunter/field-hand market way back when they were surplus, and the scabbards didn't come along. They all seemed to be in a picket pin case. I think it boils down to a surplus organization put them in these picket pin cases and now here we are...like so many things after time it seems like it was always that way.

[butlersrangers]

Stokes Kirk 'had your back' if you were Big-Game Hunting and ran out of ammo!

[butlersrangers]

W. Stokes Kirk 'special' front sight to make a quasi 'school rifle'.Attachment 55332

[browningautorifle]

There we have part of the story. Being a hunter, I can see the value in taking to the field with a rifle and bayonet...er...on the other hand, who are they kidding? But the price is right.

[butlersrangers]

W. Stokes Kirk 'special' front sight to make a quasi 'school rifle'. (No one has figured out the basis for the mentioned 'Navy style rifle').


Attachment 55332

[browningautorifle]

Here's the shovel and attachments for the picket pin if you haven't seen them...