“It’s still just like it was when I got it.” It hasn’t lost its charm all these years later. When Dale purchased the rifle more than a half-century ago, “the bluing was gone except by the rear sight,” but its important quality was that “it shot like a charm,” with silky smooth action and deadeye accuracy. “They learn to zone in on that spot right behind the shoulder.” “I think it really helps out your shooting ability,” he said. Forest Service for three decades, believes that getting kids started with open sights establishes their shooting fundamentals better than with a scope. Duff shot four deer with it, and it remains to be seen how long Tyler will use it before switching to a scope.ĭale, who led trail crews for the U.S. Dale shot numerous deer and elk with it from ages 12 to 25, when he moved on to a Ruger with a scope. What the Jorgensons do know is that it’s been an excellent starter rifle for its 56 years in the family’s possession. “We have no clue what it shot before dad got it, and we might not want to know,” Duff said. Nor do they know who used it or for what purposes in the post-war decades leading up to 1964, when Dale bought it. The Jorgensons aren’t sure if their rifle was actually used in the Spanish American War.
Springfield Model 1898 bolt-action rifle on Dec. The Jorgensons’ gun has a lengthy 30-inch barrel and five-cartridge magazine. 30-06, which is a commonly used cartridge in big-game hunting. 30-40 Krag cartridge, with a ballistic profile similar to a.
It went through a series of models between 18, including the 1898 version owned by the Jorgenson family, until it was phased out when the Army adopted a Mauser-patterned Springfield rifle. military in the late 19th century, according to the National Rifle Association, and served as the Army’s standard-issue rifle in the Spanish American War. The Krag-Jørgensen rifle, manufactured by Springfield Armory, was the first smokeless-powder repeating firearm to be adopted by the U.S. “It’s a tradition, and we’re keeping the tradition alive. “It’s something you don’t hear every day,” Duff, a Kalispell home inspector, said. Then this fall, Duff’s son Tyler harvested his first deer with the same rifle in the Swans, completing a generational trifecta. Nearly three decades later, in 1993, his son Duff shot his first deer with the rifle, also in the Swan Range. He bought it for $27.50 and shot his first deer with it in the Swan Range the following year.
This specimen comes complete with the rare bayonet as well.Dale Jorgenson came across an 1898 Spanish American War-era rifle at a Kalispell pawnshop in 1964 when he was 11 years old. There were only 100 rifles made and issued to the Plattsburgh Barracks, New York for trial. Discovering one shoulder arm for both branches would be a huge cost savings and reduce any logistical issues. The War Department wanted to find a rifle that met the demands of the infantry and cavalry, thus reducing cost and connecting both branches.
The serial number of this Krag falls in the very rare group that is a Board of Ordinance rifle. The handle is marked on each side: one side is " 34," and the other side is " 2 D." Marked "26" on the pommel. The bayonet has " US" and " 1902" marked on the ricasso. Comes complete with a rare Krag Bayonet made specifically made for the 26" barrel. Has " P" firing proof marking behind triggerguard. Has cartouche on left side of stock of " JSA" over " 1902" in script. Markings on left side of the receiver in two lines " US" over " Model 1898 Springfield Armory" followed by serial number. Blue barrel barrel bands with hardened receiver.