The markings on the left side of the “sniper” Model 1898 Krag’s receiver (left) indicate that it was made by Springfield Armory. The final inspection stamp (right) on one of the test rifles denotes its “1900” assembly date. This would be of especial importance to sharpshooters acting independently. In either case the target can be seen with remarkable clearness, and the marksman can be absolutely sure that he is aiming at the proper object. As a result of this test, the board is of the opinion that the use of this telescopic sight appears to be of especial value in hazy or foggy weather and at long ranges. “The sight was tested by actual firings up to a range of 2,000 yards, each member of the board participating in the firings. The brackets for attaching the telescope to the rifle are strong and durable and there appears to be no tendency to jar loose. The telescope is light, but at the same time strong. “The lenses are large and are held in place by having the metal of the tubes in which they are mounted spun over their outer edges. Danger of being struck in the eye when the piece recoils can therefore be avoided.
The eye can be placed close to the eyepiece or several inches away without any apparent difference in the focus. “The telescope is of practically universal focus that is, it does not require readjustment for different marksmen or for different ranges.
The Model 1898 Krag rifle pictured (above) bears Serial No. The medium power (12 diameters) gave the best results.Įvaluated Cataract riflescopes (l.) were held in mounts that featured mechanisms designed to allow for both windage and elevation adjustments (below, l. 8 diameters, 12 diameters, and 20 diameters. “Telescopes of three different powers are submitted for trial, viz. A ball-and-socket joint in this ring allows the telescope to be moved in any direction … The rear bracket is screwed to the side plate of the receiver, and the ring which holds the telescope has a vertical movement for changes of elevation. The front bracket is secured to the lower band by two screws, and the ring through which the telescope passes has a horizontal motion to provide for drift and windage. “The sight consists of a telescope which is attached by means of brackets to the left side of the rifle. The minutes of the Ordnance testing board related the following regarding the Model 1898 Krag with the Cataract telescope: in 1896-1897, but none were deemed to be suitable for further consideration. A couple of nondescript rifle telescopes were reportedly looked at previously by the Ordnance Dept. Presumably, a telescopic sight would be able to enhance the long-range accuracy of the rifle. 30-40 Krag cartridge possessed a flatter trajectory and better ballistic performance than the larger-caliber blackpowder cartridges previously in use. Army’s first standardized smokeless-powder service rifle. The rifle was described as “ United States Military Rifle – Krag-Jorgensen – Equipped with Sharpshooters’ Telescopic Sight.” The likely reason for the renewed interest by the American military in a telescopic-sighted rifle after remaining dormant for so long is that the Krag was the U.S. to evaluate a Model 1898 Krag rifle fitted with a telescopic sight designed and manufactured by the Cataract Tool & Optical Co. Phipps, commanding officer of Springfield Armory, was convened by order of the U.S. Then, on June 8, 1900, a board appointed by Lt. Muzzleloading, percussion-fired “sharpshooting” bench- rest rifles, such as this one, circa 1860, were the first American rifles to employ telescopic sights in combat. Such was the case for the next three-and-a-half decades. Army showed virtually no interest in telescopic-sighted rifles, despite their proven effectiveness during the recently concluded war. When war erupted, limited numbers of these civilian benchrest match rifles were procured by both the Union and Confederate armies for issuance to select “sharpshooters” and were used throughout the war, often with notable success. While many, if not most, had iron sights, a number were fitted with long sheet-metal or brass telescopes, typically two to three feet in length. 58 cal.) and were capable of surprising accuracy. Such rifles normally weighed from 25 to 35 lbs., had heavy barrels (of generally between. These muzzleloading, percussion rifles were fabricated by a number of civilian gunsmiths and gunsmithing firms, primarily for benchrest shooting matches.
The American Civil War was the first conflict in our nation’s history in which telescopic-sighted rifles were employed in combat to any appreciable extent.