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Appropriate Krag cartridge belt for an 1898 Krag?


Marine0311
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So Im aware that this period in US military history happened in sorts of phases with improvements to the gear and changes to the rifle happening every 2-3yrs.

And since I have an 1898 Krag on the way, I was hoping to get some information on the appropriate cartridge belt and bayonet for the rifle.

 

I only plan on buying a khaki colored reproduction but I also wonder what the meaning behind the blue colored belts is...if certain units like the cavalry of Marines were issued them exclusively.

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If you are using a reproduction belt, then either a blue or khaki one would work, the blue with a 100 loops would be correct as an original type Mills, while a khaki belt with either 100 or 50 loops would work as correct SAW belt, as several companies produced them when Mills couldn't make enough of theirs. The cavalry had extra loops for revolver ammunition. I'm not aware of any difference for Marines or Navy, but most likely they would have had the original blue/100 loop Mills belts, as the khaki belts made by other companies were required because of the increase in Army requirements with the addition of volunteer units and an increase in regular troops (although a lot of the volunteer units had trapdoors). I have an original Hurlbert 50-loop khaki belt with my Krag.

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Ah thanks I see.

Is the 1894 (100rd) belt fine through the Span Am War (those are the only repros I see) or were there other models.

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Remember, when the Krag was adopted in 1894, the ONLY U.S. Army uniforms color was blue. When the Span-Am war broke out in 1898, the khaki uniform was adopted, especially for wear in the tropics. Certainly that is when khaki belts would have been adopted. Look at vintage photos and see what is being worn.

 

G

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And the Spanish "nickname" for US citizen 'GRINGO" originaly came from a sementic change of the locution "Green Go" ( home) after the color of the US troops uniform in Cuba, Haiti and in the Philippines

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Charlie Flick

Marine:

 

My only suggestion to you would be to buy an original Krag ammo belt, rather than a reproduction (unless you plan to be a re-enactor). I don't know what the repro belts cost, but a fine gun like the Krag deserves, IMHO, a genuine belt. Having bought my Krag belts years ago I have not priced them lately, but I don't think they are wildly expensive. My guess is that in the long run you will be happier with a USGI belt rather than a reproduction.

 

Regards,

Charlie

 

Krag shooters in trench.jpg

 

 

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A decent 100-loop blue belt will run in the $300 plus or minus $25 range. The khaki belts (in decent shape) run in the $200 plus or minus $25 range. You see them priced higher but they tend not to sell above those prices. If I remember, the decent repro 100-loop belts can run in the $125 range (again plus or minus $25). I think its easier to find the originals than repros but I haven't searched for any repros lately.

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here is one I have.would sell it.

 

Has the "C" closure.Guessing its 45-70 due to loop length

 

Looks like 45 rounds and .30 Govt fits like a glove. ;)

 

post-342-0-51898100-1532665281_thumb.jpg

 

post-342-0-68946600-1532665310_thumb.jpg

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