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Legacy Member
Sweet -- these may have been same batch delivered to the NJ Guard, at least they most probably were in use there at the same time.
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10-27-2021 02:38 PM
# ADS
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Legacy Member
Some apparently good ideas don't always pan out.
Late 19th Century Smokeless Powder cartridges, with Jacketed Projectiles of 6mm to 8mm diameter, had flatter trajectories, traveled for miles, and retained killing velocity and penetration.
(This was a change from the performance of the large caliber, lead projectile, Black Powder military cartridges of the 1866 to 1888 era).
I think it rather understandable that Ordnance-Engineer Types would try to harness potential and created issue barrel-mounted sights, with maximum calibrations on the scale of 2,000 or even 2,700 yards.
The auxiliary off-set "barrage-sights", also, seemed plausible and might allow massed troops to 'blanket' a prominent target, 3,500 yards away.
I agree with 'Daan Kemp' that this probably proved to be not so effective on standard infantry arms. (50 to 100 yards, in heavy cover or building rubble, is a very realistic combat shooting distance).
Many countries, during warfare, used a 'Battle Setting' on their rear-sights.
When utilized and the riflemen aimed at the 'midsection' of a man-size target, hits might register from 'point-blank' to nearly 500 yards.
It didn't really matter, if you hit an enemy combatant in the head or foot.
A seriously wounded enemy was immobilized. He would 'tie-up' his country's resources and take a number of support people out of the 'action'.
Attached is a photo of the early Danish rear-sight for their model 1889 Krag-Jorgensen. In addition to the calibrations on the leaf, there is an 'off-set' notch.
This auxiliary notch is used with a 'blade' or aiming point on the front barrel-band, for 'massed barrage firing', to inconvenience the enemy beyond 2,000 yards.
Evolution in Machinegun & Artillery development and tactics makes these early small-bore rifle sight features look comical, but, at the time (IMHO), they were reasonable.
Attachment 120958
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Thank You to butlersrangers For This Useful Post:
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Legacy Member
Finally was able to take the 1898 to the range. After a slight adjustment to the windage (interesting that it seems to be designed for one-handed, on-the-fly adjustment), it was spot on and was able to get a nice grouping. I was also shooting the M1903 so could get a nice comparison. The 1898 is amazingly stable and balanced and a joy to shoot. Was shooting HSM 180gr flat nose, the only available that I could find.
Thank you all for the advice and information!
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